You bring up an interesting point. So with ESPN locked in on the ACC and SEC, and Fox sitting looking at the B1G and PAC, what do they do to make the most bang for their buck?
They dont want either of those conferences to lose anything. They want them to at least maintain but probably increase and match or at least give them similar content to the ACC and SEC.
So as you point out, they are not going to want the B1G to go after PAC teams and weaken that brand. (if they were really an option or not)
They will want to increase content in the PAC greatly to improve their value, and at least increase available content that doesnt diminish the B1G brand.
So what do you does Fox push those conferences to do? To me they push the PAC to pick up at least 4 from the Big12 as we have all discussed, and also the B1G 2 from the Big12.
I think we all know how we want that to shake out. But Short of the ACC or PAC also falling apart, I just see the push is going to pick up most of the Big 12 for the content.
There is one other option that could be on the table, some form of a partnership between the B1G and PAC, but this could still see the addition of a few schools.
Short of a complete melt down that is.
Man this needs to end sooner rather than later, I have to get back to my life.
The first thing that is going to happen is the B1G & largely FOX is going to decide if taking 4-6 brands from the PAC improve their tv value or not and give the additional recruiting grounds the B1G needs for football. Does USC, UCLA, OR , UW and then 2 of the last 4 Co., Ks, AZ or ASU, Cal or Stanford increase their value or not. Thats a fair amount of population the BTN gets extended to and also, it adds another time slot during football and basketball for live content 9 CST/10 EST.
There is unfortunately, NO WAY the B1G adds just KU & ISU. I don't mean to be rude but you're being delusional to think If OU & UT felt they needed to play the biggest brands for NIL purposes going forward that OSU/PSU/Michigan are going to make their counter move to add ISU & KU to improve their ability to compete in recruiting in the new world of NIL. Its also the reason I think USC, UCLA, OR & UW will not be able to decline a B1G invitation. They can't sell NIL money to recruits adding KU, ISU, TT & TCU (or whatever combo) instead joining of OSU,UM and PSU. Nor will FOX sign up for a tv deal of matchups of Big 12 leftovers playing USC, UCLA, OR & UW. Or would you rather have OSU, PSU, UM, Neb playing those teams. Anyone that wants to argue against this isn't being realistic.
I always thought it would be horrible for CFB to try and limit the field for 48 or so teams because it wouldn't be enough teams to keep the national interest in the sport. Maybe they have determined two mega leagues in terms of revenue and either 1 or 2 leagues in the same division allows them to keep 72-80 teams so fans can feel like their team is a part of the sport membership wise and maybe throw them a bone for 1 or 2 playoff spots but paid quite a bit less and a lot less access to the playoffs. I guess in a way that's always how CFB has operated, just ask AAC & MWC teams. The question is how much lower is the pay? Are we talking 65-70M for the two super leagues compared to 25-30M for the other league(s)?
The only hope is CFB decides to break off with 60-64 teams within 2 leagues the B1G & SEC, but I don't see the teams at the top of the revenue heap wanting to share it with 64 teams instead of 40-48. Maybe under that scenario where the B1G focuses on AAU schools ISU somehow slips in at the end but I don't feel good about it. I guess the other possibility is the B1G fills up with AAU schools and the SEC wants to improve the academic appearance of its league and ISU gets one of the last few spots there.
The only thing fans of the teams leftover can do is vote with their viewership in the future.
