Big 12 Considers Name Change

[MissouriFan]

Thought you all might be interested in this.

From the linked article

"The Big 12 has come to similar conclusions if they are considering a name change. The move would likely be to remove the “12″ in some form. The conference has hired GSD&M Idea City to consider new name ideas. It’s a safe assumption that if a move were made to remove the “12″ that the conference would be less likely to expand in the near future as changing the brand would be a permanent change."

Big 12 Considers Name Change | CollegeSportsInfo.com


I hope they do change the name if we aren't expanding back to 12. I think the Big 12 name kind of makes the conference look weak since everyone will see it and remember that we lost two teams. I kind of like the name The Central Conference since Mid American and Heartland are already taken, Southwest Conference feels wrong, and Midwest Conference (MWC) is to similar to the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Anyone got any other serious suggestions?

 

[CycloneGB]

If the B10 dumps it we could pick up the Legends and Leaders Conference

 

[Cyclonestate78]

This is a very interesting topic. If they have no plans to expand in the near future then I think changing the name is a very good idea. We don't want to look like the ******** from the Big 10 who had 11 teams for a decade and kept the 10 in the conference name.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

If the B10 dumps it we could pick up the Legends and Leaders Conference

I like where your head is at.

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

 

[goldmember]

Although we obviously no longer have twelve teams, you still have over a decade of brand identity with the "Big 12". I think they should stick with the name for that reason, and just in case the conference expands back to 12 in the future.

 

[Tornado man]

Although we obviously no longer have twelve teams, you still have over a decade of brand identity with the "Big 12". I think they should stick with the name for that reason, and just in case the conference expands back to 12 in the future.

I agree. The Big Ten's emphasis on their "name brand" is very justified, IMO. The Big 12 should be just as protective. Changing the name now just underscores the perceived instability of the conference.
Keep it. I'm shaking my head that they're even considering this.

 

[cstrunk]

I like the idea of a name change, but the new name better be a darn good one. It would be interesting to see what good ideas might be thrown around. I think it would be a good idea to stay away from anything with a number.

 

[jl112481]

Thought you all might be interested in this.

From the linked article

"The Big 12 has come to similar conclusions if they are considering a name change. The move would likely be to remove the “12″ in some form. The conference has hired GSD&M Idea City to consider new name ideas. It’s a safe assumption that if a move were made to remove the “12″ that the conference would be less likely to expand in the near future as changing the brand would be a permanent change."

Big 12 Considers Name Change | CollegeSportsInfo.com


I hope they do change the name if we aren't expanding back to 12. I think the Big 12 name kind of makes the conference look weak since everyone will see it and remember that we lost two teams. I kind of like the name The Central Conference since Mid American and Heartland are already taken, Southwest Conference feels wrong, and Midwest Conference (MWC) is to similar to the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Anyone got any other serious suggestions?

I'm not sure I understand or agree with this. If the Big 12 changes it's name to something that is an acronym of letters with no numbers included (ie. SEC, ACC, etc.) then how will that limit the number of teams that are in the conference in the future? It won't matter if there are 10 or 16 teams, they can still keep the name the same.

 

[MissouriFan]

I'm not sure I understand or agree with this. If the Big 12 changes it's name to something that is an acronym of letters with no numbers included (ie. SEC, ACC, etc.) then how will that limit the number of teams that are in the conference in the future? It won't matter if there are 10 or 16 teams, they can still keep the name the same.

I think that is one of the more attractive benefits of changing the conference name to something without numbers. We can stay at 10 for a while and then later expand back to 12 or even larger without having to worry about the name being wrong. However I do think they would only consider changing the conference name and losing the "Big 12" brand name if they weren't planning on expanding back to 12 anytime soon.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I could see them going to some kind of non-numerical name. How about the Big Central Conference? We could be the BCC?

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I think that is one of the more attractive benefits of changing the conference name to something without numbers. We can stay at 10 for a while and then later expand back to 12 or even larger without having to worry about the name being wrong. However I do think they would only consider changing the conference name and losing the "Big 12" brand name if they weren't planning on expanding back to 12 anytime soon.

Or maybe they plan on going beyond 12????

 

[ketelmeister]

Big Eightish

 

[CrossCyed]

Smartest move would be to not change the name. Who cares if there's not 12 teams? The Big Ten is doing just fine. That blog also considers TCU as a possibility to join the Big 12, which is wrong on a number of levels.

Let's hope this IC firm recommends the Big 12 stay the Big 12.

 

[CtownCyclone]

Central Time Zone Conference. But I guess that limits expansion...

 

[yler4cy]

Conference of Champions?

 

[CyForPresident]

I'm all for a name change. The Big 12 is a weakened product name right now and only serves to focus on the past by keeping it. A new name would wipe the slate clean and move the 10 schools toward the future together.

I threw these out the other day on CR, but its fun so why not again?

Great Plains Conference
Heartland Conference
Pioneer Conference
Frontier Conference
Great Nation Conference (reference to Indians, i.e. great sioux nation)
The Real 10 (Geoffroy did mention this name before)

I'm all for a fresh start and I'm really excited for the future of the Big 12.

 

[Prone2Clone]

Let's hope this IC firm recommends the Big 12 stay the Big 12.

Because consultants and agencies come in and say, "We've analyzed the situation and we think you're good -- no need for us to do anything" all the time.

 

[AnkenyClone]

I think we should go with THE Big Ten Conference.

 

[ruxCYtable]

I hate change, but if expansion isn't planned in the near future I think the Big 12 has to do it. It sort of "worked" for the Big Ten, I guess, but not really. They were still sort of a laughing stock for it.

As others have mentioned I'd prefer something non-numerical so we don't have to change again due to expansion or...ahem...contraction. I'd also tend to shy away from anything directional (Plains, Central). I mean, what if Florida wants to join someday? I'm kidding about that, but you get my point.

I only have a couple suggestions that meet these criteria: The Millennium Conference or The 21st Century Conference.

 

[Cyclone06]

The Texas 10 Conferance. Sums it up and has a nice ring. What do I get for my consultant fee?