One Year Later: The Big 12 Missile Crisis revisited

**MNCyGuy** · 06-06-2011, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by CyBroncos

Yeah I'm still not sold on going independent as being this smart successful venture for BYU. They have no bowl tie-in's so if they don't get into the BCS they're stuck in crap bowls. They are not Notre Dame so they're not going to have the same pull when trying to schedule teams (especially in October and November when conference play has started).

Their home schedule this year is Utah, Utah State, Central Florida, Idaho State, New Mexico State, Idaho and San Jose State. Take away Utah and that is an embarassing schedule...makes me want to run out and buy a season ticket

Central Florida is a decent match-up too, but otherwise that is a pretty sorry line-up.

I just don't get why they didn't wait for the dust to settle before leaving the MWC. Did they think the conference wasn't going to make any move to replace Utah? I see two scenarios playing out if they stick around after Utah leaves, both better than what they've got going now:
1) They remain on, Nevada and Fresno still get added and they are still in the best non-BCS conference.
2) They remain on, maybe TCU sticks around, they've still got a slim chance at getting BCS bid.

**jbhtexas** · 06-06-2011, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by VeloClone

I'm pretty sure Notre Dame already has its own network. It's called NBC.

Is NBC broadcasting other ND events besides a few FB games? Remember, ESPN isn't paying Bevo $15 million/year for FB...

**jbhtexas** · 06-06-2011, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

I just don't get why they didn't wait for the dust to settle before leaving the MWC.

Perhaps they suffer from delusions of grandeur, similar to one Tom Osborne.

**CycloneErik** · 06-06-2011, 03:00 PM

I keep thinking that Cooter Ray should comment in here somewhere.

**jbhtexas** · 06-06-2011, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by drednot57

My guess the 4-letter network paid to bring Texas baseball to its expanding college baseball coverage.

Baseball is definitely a big contributor to the deal...

**Sammy11** · 06-06-2011, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Central Florida is a decent match-up too, but otherwise that is a pretty sorry line-up.

I just don't get why they didn't wait for the dust to settle before leaving the MWC. Did they think the conference wasn't going to make any move to replace Utah? I see two scenarios playing out if they stick around after Utah leaves, both better than what they've got going now:
1) They remain on, Nevada and Fresno still get added and they are still in the best non-BCS conference.
2) They remain on, maybe TCU sticks around, they've still got a slim chance at getting BCS bid.

They get more exposure and money going indy and the WCC is a decent but not great non-fb home. The MWC has a sorry tv deal in terms of exposure and BYU is in essence the sports marketing wing of the LDS religion. They moved for visibility and the 8 million payday was nice too.

**VeloClone** · 06-06-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by 3GenClone

That article was a great read, if you could read around Chip patting himself on the back...

Too true. The piece should have been titled One Year Later: How I Reported the Big 12 Missile Crisis.

**Mowilly** · 06-06-2011, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

Nothing may come of it, but I sure hope the Big 12 stays in contact with ND. Seems like something OrangeBlood Chip should be able to get some info on...

I agree and I think that Chip knows more than what he is saying. I happen to think that the quote from Dodds that is most telling was and still is "We did not start this, but We WILL finish it". I take that to mean more than what happened last year.

There is no reason to float around any discussions that may have taken place right now. The last time that happened, well- last summer occured as a result of Big 10 expansion from Alverez and from the Missouri Gov. I tend to think both the Big 12 and ND are very happy where things are today and there is no reason to start this whole thing over again w/ talk about maybes. I do think if the Big 10 and Pac 10 (and Big East as it handles ND) get any big ideas- Dodds will end it and ND will be how he ends it. ND IS NEVER going to do business w/ Delaney, ever! Additionally, the entire BCS world is looking at the model of the Big 12 and after the expected windfall, I do think some hard questions will come from other conferences big fish schools about creating something similar to the Big 12 model. (the big "if " is that it still has to deliver, which it has so far) ESPN will not want Fox more engaged and will be a friend as it was last summer. The unknown still is Comcast (NBC) and if they wish to be involved. The Big 12 and ND can be HUGE winners if they do!

Loose talk will only start what does not need to be started. I expect things to stay as they are.

**MNCyGuy** · 06-06-2011, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sammy11

They get more exposure and money going indy and the WCC is a decent but not great non-fb home. The MWC has a sorry tv deal in terms of exposure and BYU is in essence the sports marketing wing of the LDS religion. They moved for visibility and the 8 million payday was nice too.

I'm sorry, they are not going to get more eyeballs on BYU-TV for that sorry independent schedule than they would have for their MWC schedule. And I would imagine that with an incoming Boise augmenting BYU, Utah, and TCU the conference would have been in line for more tv exposure in the next few years.

**cyfan15** · 06-06-2011, 04:00 PM

If Notre Dame ever does join a conference, the Big 12 is clearly the best choice financially for them. It's the one conference where they could negotiate their own third tier TV deal and still cash in on the benefits of being in a conference. There are a lot of Catholics out there who love Notre Dame, and their TV network could be more valuable even than Texas's.

As for BYU's independence, I don't think it was a bad move at all. One of the benefits of being independent is the room you have for upward mobility by scheduling BCS level teams. On future schedules they already have Texas, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Boise State, and West Virginia. That's a pretty decent start.

Being independent is a big part of what allowed schools like Miami and Florida State to go from being afterthoughts to national powers back in the 80s. With the conferences negotiating big time TV deals nowadays, the vast majority of schools have to be in a conference just to keep up financially. That's what's holding Boise State back.

The only schools that can get around it are ones with big national followings like Notre Dame. BYU's following isn't what Notre Dame's is, but their association with the LDS church brings them a lot of fans out west. They're far from the typical non-BCS team in that regard.

I think the only way the Big 12 expands is if Notre Dame is interested when we're negotiating the first tier deal in a few years. If they get on board, BYU is the other logical target and they would jump at the opportunity. Arkansas is a possibility, but they're happy in the SEC and adding BYU actually increases the conference footprint more than adding Arkansas. A Big 12 with Notre Dame and BYU would be a truly national conference and very valuable to the networks.

**cyfan15** · 06-06-2011, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mowilly

I agree and I think that Chip knows more than what he is saying. I happen to think that the quote from Dodds that is most telling was and still is "We did not start this, but We WILL finish it". I take that to mean more than what happened last year.

There is no reason to float around any discussions that may have taken place right now. The last time that happened, well- last summer occured as a result of Big 10 expansion from Alverez and from the Missouri Gov. I tend to think both the Big 12 and ND are very happy where things are today and there is no reason to start this whole thing over again w/ talk about maybes. I do think if the Big 10 and Pac 10 (and Big East as it handles ND) get any big ideas- Dodds will end it and ND will be how he ends it. ND IS NEVER going to do business w/ Delaney, ever! Additionally, the entire BCS world is looking at the model of the Big 12 and after the expected windfall, I do think some hard questions will come from other conferences big fish schools about creating something similar to the Big 12 model. (the big "if " is that it still has to deliver, which it has so far) ESPN will not want Fox more engaged and will be a friend as it was last summer. The unknown still is Comcast (NBC) and if they wish to be involved. The Big 12 and ND can be HUGE winners if they do!

Loose talk will only start what does not need to be started. I expect things to stay as they are.

Texas has this thing under control. That's why they could play hardball with the Pac-10. Dodds said it himself, "We can loan ourselves the money." They got the conference they wanted, and now they're bringing in more TV revenue than any other school in the country. They're happy with where they are.

However, Dodds is also smart enough to know that the kind of money they're bringing in with the way the TV rights are set up is the kind of thing that could attract Notre Dame and bring in even more money. Being able to add Notre Dame and another school (probably BYU or Arkansas) could very likely make the Big 12 the most valuable conference to the TV networks when we go to negotiate the Tier 1 deal. It would also be a giant "**** you" to Delaney, Osborne, the Pac-12, and the rest of the college football world.

**Sammy11** · 06-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

I'm sorry, they are not going to get more eyeballs on BYU-TV for that sorry independent schedule than they would have for their MWC schedule. And I would imagine that with an incoming Boise augmenting BYU, Utah, and TCU the conference would have been in line for more tv exposure in the next few years.

1- They will have most of their home games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, or ESPNU. Those are far more visible than VS, theMtn, or CBSCS.

2- They have been able to strike long term deals with ND, UT, and more that they likely would not have had the flexibility to land. This will easily offset the lost BSU games. Utah will play them every year anyway. Name 1 other big annual MWC game... afa? nevada? not really.

3- MWC is locked in with Comcast for several more years. They did a very long term deal as they were the first to set up a network and comcast needed that term to take on the risk. So even if BYU stayed they had little shot of more exposure. Also the MWC did not allow BYU rebroadcast rights they will have for byutv as well as the live games that ESPN does not pick up.

**Sammy11** · 06-06-2011, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan15

Texas has this thing under control. That's why they could play hardball with the Pac-10. Dodds said it himself, "We can loan ourselves the money." They got the conference they wanted, and now they're bringing in more TV revenue than any other school in the country. They're happy with where they are.

However, Dodds is also smart enough to know that the kind of money they're bringing in with the way the TV rights are set up is the kind of thing that could attract Notre Dame and bring in even more money. Being able to add Notre Dame and another school (probably BYU or Arkansas) could very likely make the Big 12 the most valuable conference to the TV networks when we go to negotiate the Tier 1 deal. It would also be a giant "**** you" to Delaney, Osborne, the Pac-12, and the rest of the college football world.

I think if ND had to join a league and could have few enough games that allowed them to still schedule USC, Michigan, and 2 more without killing their title chances we would stand a decent chance.

1- Tier 3 network would help capitalize on their tier 3 rights and allows them to get a texas network equivalent which elevates their brand in addition to monetary compensation.

2- We'd be able to offer a reduced conference schedule (north opponents + 1 or 2 south games leaves 5 or 6 open dates) that allows their Michigan, USC, Navy, Purdue, etc series to continue. In order to do this we'd have to rewrite tiebreakers but I think they'd have enough votes as the forgotten 5 would only need 3 of the other 6 to vote with us. All 5 of us would have a vested interest in ND joining.

3- Non-football would have a great home as we are as good as anyone in hoops, baseball, womens sports,etc.

**Arkansas** · 06-06-2011, 08:40 PM

This thread's been interesting to say the least. I know most everyone, including me, are happy with the 10 team conference for now but I really think things will become really interesting when tier 1 comes up for negotiation. I would be surprised if ND joins the league but not shocked.