more on conference realignment

[mug644]

Read this article from the NY Times. No new information about the possible realignment, but interesting nonetheless.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/sports/20colleges.html?hpw

[brewcity77]

Good article, but lord I hope they're wrong. The idea of those 4 superconferences breaking off from the NCAA seems simply like madness, but not the good kind we all look forward to in March. As a basketball-only school, we'd almost certainly be left out, but moreso it just seems like it would kill my interest in college basketball. I already barely watch college football because the BCS has ruined it for me, and after watching teams like Butler and George Mason in recent years, you can't tell me that a rival tournament that only showcased the big boys would really be good for anyone.

It honestly makes me wonder if I'm better off watching high school sports. I like some semblance of purity and love of the game, but the more these athletic departments become like mini-corporations, and the more evident it becomes that the only thing that matters is the almighty dollar, the less interest I have in sport as a whole. Growing up, passion counted for something, but to these corporate universities, that simply isn't the case. I hope that this article is largely wrong, but going on the trends of other sports, my guess is it will eventually prove sadly correct.

[ChicosBailBonds]

This is one reason I want the 96 expansion signed ASAP and the longer the contract, the better.  This protects the MU's of the world for a long time because a breakaway wouldn't be possible without the money to broadcast it, at least until the new contract was done.

[HoopsMalone]

It really would take away from the charm of the tourney to break away.  hopefully they do not do it.  Casual fans watch Northern Iowa v. Kansas, not Kentucky v. West Va.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Let's hope Cottingham has a plan or someday none of this will be but a memory.

[BrewCity83]

This is one reason I want the 96 expansion signed ASAP and the longer the contract, the better.  This protects the MU's of the world for a long time because a breakaway wouldn't be possible without the money to broadcast it, at least until the new contract was done.

This is really THE ONLY reason I want the expansion to 96.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Why couldn't breakaway teams/conferences form their own tournament even when CBS/NCAA are doing theirs? I guess I'm not sure what the signing of the new CBS tournament expansion has to do with preventing teams/conferences from breaking away.

[Litehouse]

Why couldn't breakaway teams/conferences form their own tournament even when CBS/NCAA are doing theirs? I guess I'm not sure what the signing of the new CBS tournament expansion has to do with preventing teams/conferences from breaking away.

They could, but they would have to leave the NCAA entirely to do that.  Tournament expansion just helps secure more spots for teams like us (non-football schools) in the meantime and hopefully becomes the new standard.  And if they sign a long-term deal, like 10 years, at least we have another 10 years before the foootball schools could potentially break away.  As long as we have access to the tournament and are still playing basketball at the highest level, I think we'll be fine no matter how the conferences turn out.  It might not be as good as our current arrangement in the Big East, but it could still be better than C-USA.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Why couldn't breakaway teams/conferences form their own tournament even when CBS/NCAA are doing theirs? I guess I'm not sure what the signing of the new CBS tournament expansion has to do with preventing teams/conferences from breaking away.

They could but they wouldn't get the money that they get from the current NCAA deal.

[Marquette84]

They could but they wouldn't get the money that they get from the current NCAA deal.

CBS can't be so stupid that they would sign a long term deal knowing there at least the possibility of some BCS-like splintering of the NCAA.   

My guess is that they would insist on some sort of "material change" clause that enables them to escape, which would give them the $$$ to offer to another group sponsoring a post-season basketball tournament.

But even if not, why wouldn't the breakaway teams get a similar deal from another network--especially if they package it with the football bowl games?   I think we'd see Olympic-like bids for a multi-year contract that would include all five BCS bowls, 4 conference regular season games, 4 super-conference tournaments, and a 16 or 24 team post-season conference that includes the likes of Duke, UNC, Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan State, etc. etc. etc.

[ChicosBailBonds]

CBS can't be so stupid that they would sign a long term deal knowing there at least the possibility of some BCS-like splintering of the NCAA.   

My guess is that they would insist on some sort of "material change" clause that enables them to escape, which would give them the $$$ to offer to another group sponsoring a post-season basketball tournament.

But even if not, why wouldn't the breakaway teams get a similar deal from another network--especially if they package it with the football bowl games?   I think we'd see Olympic-like bids for a multi-year contract that would include all five BCS bowls, 4 conference regular season games, 4 super-conference tournaments, and a 16 or 24 team post-season conference that includes the likes of Duke, UNC, Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan State, etc. etc. etc.

I would agree, CBS most likely would demand that.  In terms of the other bids, is the money out there for that?  Perhaps, but with football contracts tied up for a long time, the bundling proponent you presented isn't feasible until at least 2013 and 2017 in some cases. 

The leverage the NCAA has, as a governing body, is to state that they are crowning the true college national champion.  Now, whether that holds up in public or not, is another story.  Way back in the day, the NIT was more prestigious than the NCAA tournament until eventually it turned.  It's quite possible the reverse could happen here.

It's sad in many ways...the Big Ten, if they go for 3 or more schools, will be responsible for pushing the final domino over which is a shame.