BIG-10 Officially Inks New Deal: Is This Good for Oregon?

To answer the question in the title, YES, HELL YES, EMPHATICALLY YES.

A million times over.

I recognize my excitement might set us up for future disappointment, but I feel good about this development. At least as it relates to Oregon.

The BIG not only inked a strong deal, it was clear they left it open for future expansion. Which has always been a top priority for commissioner Kevin Warren.

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With conference expansion/re-alignment a complicated matter, it was wise by the BIG and the networks to leave an opening. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into strict parameters, adapt with the times. And we continue to operate in a rapidly evolving time.

One of the things you are starting to read more and more from national pundits is something I’ve said from nearly the onset.

Logistically, sensibly, the BIG wasn’t really going to be able to survive with only USC and UCLA in the Western footprint. It simply is not feasible. And while money is at the forefront of these decisions, it still has to make some sense. And it never made sense to have your entire conference in one region with two outliers 2,500 miles away.

The real wild card at the moment is Notre Dame. I wonder if the latest chatter of them remaining independent is real, or if that’s negotiation tactics. I’m inclined to believe its the latter, but again, I’ve never had any inside sources to any of these matters. Just, ya know, good old fashioned logic.

To me, at the moment, whether Notre Dame stays or goes, I think the BIG is set to expand. But I offer that with a caveat.

Expansion does not have to come today, this month or even in 2022. It doesn’t. And it very well might not.

Now I’m sure Oregon would like to have the uncertainty behind them, as do Oregon fans. But you can wish in one hand and……. well you know the saying.

For Oregon, you stay patient. Continue to say nothing publicly. Leak nothing. You keep all options open for yourself.

I continue to believe, no matter what Notre Dame does, Oregon is going to get an invite to the BIG. Again, maybe not today or in 2022, but they’ll get one. Stanford and Washington probably make the most sense to join with Cal being frequently mentioned as the ‘filler’ if Notre Dame doesn’t accept.

Stanford and Cal gives you a big Bay Area market. Washington gives you Seattle. And Oregon is simply one of the most watched and recognized brands in the sport today. The data is there. In fact Oregon is ahead of USC in most metrics (way ahead of UCLA) however those schools provide a key Los Angeles TV market. So I get it.

This puts a ton of pressure on the Pac-12 (10) which is on the doorstep of closing up shop. And they know it. Even if Oregon and the others went into the BIG with less market share, it’s still a lot more than what the Pac is offering currently.

Let’s just be overly optimistic here and give George Kliavkoff the benefit of the doubt. And he magically whips up a new media deal that could get $60 million into the pockets of Oregon, Washington, etc.

If, even if, the money is equal to the BIG offer, is that even enough to keep them? It’s pretty clear the BIG is set to expand. It seems pretty clear we’re headed towards a two conference super league. It seems pretty unlikely that even if he can come up with a miracle solution, you can keep Oregon and others.

I believe internally, prior to today’s news, Oregon brass were confident in the future of their alignment. Meaning, an imminent move to the BIG.

The only thing that seems relatively cloudy at this moment is whether it includes Notre Dame or not. And when it will actually happen.

Most of this is the EXACT same thing I’ve said since day one. And here we are months later and I have even less reason to change my tune.

Stay patient Duck fans and stay thirsty my friends.