CW Pod: A conversation with Pac-12 reporter Jon Wilner

[JStanz51]

Great stuff from CW this morning.

CW Pod: With Pac-12 writer Jon Wilner

Chris Williams is joined by longtime syndicated Big 12 beat writer Jon Wilner to gain some much-needed perspective on all things realignment. Wilner discusses the cultural differences between the Pac-12 and the Big 12, different scenarios at play and where this all might be heading.

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[Daserop]

I laughed at his reasoning regarding why negotiating their TV rights first is better the PAC-12. While the offer for their media rights is "down on paper versus speculative" the offer can still be a bad one.

Another interesting comment. The PAC-12 new GOR needs to provide "flexibility for Oregon, Washington, & Stanford, but provide security for the others. That's impossible. You're going to (at a minimum) piss some schools off.

His comment about adding SDSU even it means less overall revenue (even as a defensive measure) is a terrible idea. He then goes onto worrying about losing Olympic sports due to schools having less money.

 

[drmwevr08]

Telling the B12 they should want SDSU because it might save the Pac. lol

 

[Acylum]

This is really good. Encourage everybody to take the time to listen.

 

[Cydkar]

This is really good. Encourage everybody to take the time to listen.

Right after I listen to the Stew Mandel podcast (never).

 

[JM4CY]

Haven’t listened yet. Does CW put him in his place?

 

[mj4cy]

Haven’t listened yet. Does CW put him in his place?

It's a really civil discussion on the state of events and where things could go. Suppose its similar to watching political election coverage in the sense where people are just reading or saying how votes could turn out not so much how they want them to turn out.

 

[exCYtable]

Wilner is one of the biggest morons in all of sports

 

[jsb]

I thought it was interesting that he basically shot down the idea that Amazon and Apple would be players in TV deals.

 

[2speedy1]

Gonna listen but, man this guy is terrible. He and his buddies Mandel and Canzano, are just idiots. They have some of the worst takes out there.

Basically Finebaum lights of the Pac 10.

 

[PickSix]

Great discussion. Jon seems well intentioned and a good guy. I give him kudos for accepting CW’s invite.

With that being said, I didn’t understand his take on the PAC-12’s grant of rights. A GOR is by design, not flexible. And if they do create a flexible one, than it’d be completely pointless.

I’m also still pretty firmly in the no SDSU camp. We can’t let our actions be dictated by what other conferences may or may not do. The focus should be solely be on what maximizes revenue for the existing Big 12 members. I’m not sure why people think a mid major with marginal fan support is the lynchpin holding the PAC together.

 

[HouClone]

I credit Wilner for taking the time. He hasn't been one to shy on the generalization front however. I can already see his spin if we take SDSU. "One conference has 5 G5 teams, the other doesn't. You decide, America, who has the strongest league."

 

[Jkclone15]

I thought it was a great interview and kudos to CW for hitting all the major realignment topics while keeping it civil. Thought the cultural stuff was really interesting, as well as Wilner's criticism of the PAC's leadership. It's telling I suppose that the reason the PAC has become so vulnerable is because of leaders that didn't prioritize the revenue sports, and now those are the same leaders that might keep the league together when there are more financially viable options.

 

[CYCLNST8]

The Aztecs have been on quite a run in football & basketball lately. They have a higher ceiling now that San Diego no longer hosts an NFL franchise. The potential is there if they can continue winning at a high rate. When Pete Carroll had the Trojans rolling, they were the biggest show in town during the fall. Now Lincoln Riley has to compete with two NFL franchises.

Not a horrible choice IMO- that being said: let the Pac have ‘em. We can wait.