Why the C7, Why not the C4 or C5?

[MerrittsMustache]

I could be wrong but didn't they need all the votes of the 7 schools to do this?

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[honkytonk]

If every team is 9-9 this conference sucks. Guess what guys? There WILL BE BOTTOM FEEDERS if we want to have legit nationally-hyped successful title contending teams. If we go 14-4, someone more than likely has to go 4-14.

That being said, I don't think anyone will be as much of a bottom feeders as they were in the former BE. That league suffocated programs, and didn't allow them to get above water to regain their footing to go forward. This new setup will provide those schools with so much more breathing room then they're used to.

Exactly. And if your scenario comes to fruition...and today's bottom feeders can come up for air...then we hav to take that good with the bad - the bad being that the conference champion will be highly unlikely to receive a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

[Dawson Rental]

Here is what ESPN's Joe Lundari said

(from this thread)
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=34955.msg429817#msg429817

The bottom line of all this number-crunching, even if tweaked to the advantage of certain schools or groups of schools, is that the so-called Catholic Seven is a long, long, long way from its Big East glory days. Villanova, Marquette and Georgetown can never be good enough to carry their four average-to-below-average (and we're being kind) partners.


------

Lundari argued the new C7 is not very good because of the bottom of the conference, not a lack of good schools at the top.

Is he wrong?  So I ask again, how long can the bottom feeders stay that way in the new conference?

As soon as I read this, I got a picture in my mind of you getting bitch slapped by Shirley Temple.

"That's not very nice Mr. AnotherMU82."  She says with her hands on her hips.

[LauxForThree]

First off, I appreciate the DePaul love.  Some of you guys do remember what transpired in the early 90's, and yes, even though DePaul isn't in great shape now the financial commitment is there.

As for why the C7, simple.... Two things.  You need the C7 to retain an automatic bid for the new conference and 7 votes to dissolve the old one.

[chren21]

About 20 years ago, when MU was in the dumps and DePaul was still going pretty strong, some (mostly) Midwestern schools with good basketball traditions got together to form the Great Midwest Conference. DePaul was one of the leaders of that effort, and because of MU's longstanding ties to them, they were kind enough to invite us along at a time when MU was "not competitive" (zero NCAAs in the previous nine seasons, losing records three of the previous four years).
Getting into the Great Midwest helped Marquette get into C-USA which helped Marquette get into the Big East. It set in motion the path to Tom Crean and Dwyane Wade and Buzz Williams and Jae Crowder.
If DePaul had said "screw those guys, they're not competitive now" Marquette could be Detroit Mercy or Loyola today. Instead, DePaul looked out for MU and we have very successful program to enjoy.

So, before you go chasing off DePaul as not worthy of sharing a conference with mighty Marquette, perhaps you should reflect a bit upon history and consider what they did for us a couple of decades ago.

This is right on.  Well written.  Hopefully eveyone does not grow a huge head so quickly.  We are so lucky to have Buzz and all it takes is a quick few events and we will be worse than DePaul in no time.

[The Equalizer]

First off, I appreciate the DePaul love.  Some of you guys do remember what transpired in the early 90's, and yes, even though DePaul isn't in great shape now the financial commitment is there.

As for why the C7, simple.... Two things.  You need the C7 to retain an automatic bid for the new conference and 7 votes to dissolve the old one.

The conference isn't being disolved. The C7 are simply leaving--apparently there's a rule that says if 7 teams leave as a group there's no exit fee.

The only thing holding them togehter is that if a new conference is formed, it takes all of them to recieve an automatic bid. 

[LauxForThree]

The conference isn't being disolved. The C7 are simply leaving--apparently there's a rule that says if 7 teams leave as a group there's no exit fee.

The only thing holding them togehter is that if a new conference is formed, it takes all of them to recieve an automatic bid. 

While you may be right on this one, I don't recall seeing that particular provision in the Big East by-laws regarding the mass exodus and no exit fee.  What is clearly stated though is if there is a 2/3rd vote (and with the C7 it is a reality), the league can dissolve itself and divide the assets.  So with that particular 'nuclear option' the C7 have, they can use that as leverage in negotiating the exit date and division of assets (name, MSG contract etc.)

So yes, DePaul and the other lower performing programs are needed by MU and GU to strike the best deal and stick together.

[bilsu]

I think the greatest risk in all of this is that the C7 does not stick together.

[Pakuni]

While you may be right on this one, I don't recall seeing that particular provision in the Big East by-laws regarding the mass exodus and no exit fee.  What is clearly stated though is if there is a 2/3rd vote (and with the C7 it is a reality), the league can dissolve itself and divide the assets.  So with that particular 'nuclear option' the C7 have, they can use that as leverage in negotiating the exit date and division of assets (name, MSG contract etc.)

So yes, DePaul and the other lower performing programs are needed by MU and GU to strike the best deal and stick together.

Agreed. Dissolving is for this situation what decertifying is to labor talks. The powers that be in what's left of the BE probably wouldn't want that free-for-all.

[The Equalizer]

While you may be right on this one, I don't recall seeing that particular provision in the Big East by-laws regarding the mass exodus and no exit fee. 

I haven't seen it, but it has been widely reported in the media.

What is clearly stated though is if there is a 2/3rd vote (and with the C7 it is a reality), the league can dissolve itself and divide the assets.  So with that particular 'nuclear option' the C7 have, they can use that as leverage in negotiating the exit date and division of assets (name, MSG contract etc.)

Its too late for this leverage.  Per the bylaws, once teams provide notice of intent to leave, they no longer have a vote. The C7 provided notice to the league they intend to leave last week.

http://www.bigeast.org/tabid/435/article/240210/Statement-From-Commissioner-Mike-Aresco-And-BIG-EAST-Presidents.aspx

That's why you see stories now of the Big East looking to *sell* the name to the new conference--its not a negotiating chip as part of an effort to prevent dissolution:
http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=4420

The same source inicates the bylaws state how to divvy up the pot of prior departure fees and NCAA units:
http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=4451

Frankly, if I were ACC comissioner John Swofford right now, I offer Georgetown free membership.  You replace Maryland in the DC market, you strenghten your own conference, you give ND another basketball-only partner, and you significantly devalue a potential compeititor (the now C6) who don't have an auto bid and lose one of their top media draws.

[LauxForThree]

Thats an interesting angle you suggest regarding GU and the ACC, but right now, the ACC is worried about strengthening the football brand moreso than making ND basketball happy.  Just my opinion tho.

[Tugg Speedman]

Thats an interesting angle you suggest regarding GU and the ACC, but right now, the ACC is worried about strengthening the football brand moreso than making ND basketball happy.  Just my opinion tho.

The problem is GU adds no revenue to the existing ACC.  The existing TV contract does not get reworked because GU is added.  And it gives one more school to split existing revenues so everyone gets millions less.

This is why GU is not in the ACC now, and probably will not get invited soon.

If anything, it might make more sense for the ACC to invite the entire C7 (plus Butler and X) and form a super conference.  Then then can take all those schools and work a better basketball deal.