Larry Scott: Pac-12 is not done expanding

[superdeluxe]

Generating lots of buzz around the interwebs from this tweet:

Jeremiah Jensen: Just sat down with Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott. He said conference isn't done expanding. Expects more realignment in college football (Jul 26, 2011 11:51 AM


Jeremiah Jensen: Scott then said he is "laser focused on making the Pac-12 the preeminent conference in the country". (Jul 26, 2011 12:12 PM)

 

[sackman]

I kind of wish we were done, actually. I think CU and Utah fit in nicely with the schools already in the league. Just about anybody else would create some philosophical conflicts. It will be interesting to see which schools Scott has in mind.

 

[superdeluxe]

I kind of wish we were done, actually. I think CU and Utah fit in nicely with the schools already in the league. Just about anybody else would create some philosophical conflicts. It will be interesting to see which schools Scott has in mind.

I can understand that, but I do appreciate that we finally have a commissioner that continues to try and make the pac-12 the best conference in the country.

 

[sackman]

I can understand that, but I do appreciate that we finally have a commissioner that continues to try and make the pac-12 the best conference in the country.

Oh, I totally agree. I have nothing but tremendous respect and admiration for Larry Scott. The guy has proven everything he needs to prove to me.

 

[Dark Bohner]

I kind of wish we were done, actually. I think CU and Utah fit in nicely with the schools already in the league. Just about anybody else would create some philosophical conflicts. It will be interesting to see which schools Scott has in mind.

One thing I've learned is to trust in Scott's instincts. The dude absolutely stunned the college football world when he invited 6 teams instead of 2...that and we are rich now thanks to him.

 

[superdeluxe]

So I'm reading that UT is having a tough time of getting carriage of its LHN. If that is true, then that might be something to watch (Texas might agree to equal revenue sharing IF they can't find carriers for its network). Something to ponder.

 

[Darian3Hagan]

So I'm reading that UT is having a tough time of getting carriage of its LHN. If that is true, then that might be something to watch (Texas might agree to equal revenue sharing IF they can't find carriers for its network). Something to pinder.

fify

 

[tante]

so what happens if we go to 14 or 16 teams? How does that change our tv contract(s)?

 

[Jens1893]

Nothing to worry IMO. I think Scott is just being honest. I guess everyone, him included, is happy with the status quo, but if he feels like more movement is imminent he´ll be pro active and do what is best for the Pac 12, and that´s going with the flow by expanding. I really wouldn´t worry, I´d worry if he said "No matter what happens, we´re done with 12".

Larry Scott has tons of leeway with me. He knows what he´s doing.

 

[JimmyBuff]

I kind of wish we were done, actually. I think CU and Utah fit in nicely with the schools already in the league. Just about anybody else would create some philosophical conflicts. It will be interesting to see which schools Scott has in mind.

obviously its texas and OU

 

[sackman]

obviously its texas and OU

OU would be fine. Texas - not so much.

I'd be thrilled if we could get the land thieves back in our conference again. I have a lot of respect for that program.

 

[EastCoastBuff]

My guess is that Scott hasn't closed the door on the Horns yet. There are serious issues with their own TV network that may not be resolved without A&M and OU skipping off to the SEC. If that happens, the Pac might seem a lot more acceptable to Texas than being an independent, even if there has to be equal revenue sharing. And the per-school take, already approaching $30 mill per year once the Pac-12 Network is running, won't look that bad to UT; and that income will only increase exponentially with a pile of Lone Star TV's added to the mix.

The question become, who else would come along for the ride to head to the next logical plateau, sixteen? If OU and A&M are SEC-bound, Scott will probably want KU and MU, with the final team up for grabs but likely Tech or maybe Okie State. Then four pods of four (ours would be shared with Zona, ASU, and Utah), petitioning the NCAA for a mini-playoff for the conference championship (if the SEC goes to 16, they'll want that too), and a population base and time-zone coverage that is on the top.

And KSU, ISU, and Baylor will be searching their address book, looking for suitors. Tears are flowing.

I like 12 better than 16, but if the world is pushing towards four 16-team leagues (Pac, Big Ten, SEC, and ACC), having Texas and three tag-alongs could be the best deal around, financially and in terms of level of competition both in football and basketball.

 

[Jens1893]

I´d hope the Longhorn Network is a deal breaker in any Pac 12 expansion talks.

 

[Darian3Hagan]

In Larry Scott We Trust.

 

[dio]

At least we have a vote now. UT can come in as long as they keep a level playing field.

 

[sackman]

I trust Larry Scott. I do not trust UT. I'd be very cautious of any arrangement that includes them.

 

[RalphieMalph]

The question become, who else would come along for the ride to head to the next logical plateau, sixteen? If OU and A&M are SEC-bound, Scott will probably want KU and MU, with the final team up for grabs but likely Tech or maybe Okie State. Then four pods of four (ours would be shared with Zona, ASU, and Utah), petitioning the NCAA for a mini-playoff for the conference championship (if the SEC goes to 16, they'll want that too), and a population base and time-zone coverage that is on the top.

Boise.

 

[sackman]

If it were up to me, I'd take OU, KU, UNM and CSU. Yes, I know I'll take a lot of crap for that last one, but every conference needs a doormat or two. The problem is that they don't bring anything to the table. Anything at all.

 

[buff4bcs1985]

If it were up to me, I'd take OU, KU, UNM and Boise.

boise locks down the west as it goes for top tier football programs... and it also brings in the national underdog following they developed

 

[CUFan]

These expansion scenarios are mostly about TVs and time zones. Boise doesn't help the PAC with either.

 

[NashBuff]

We might need to go to 14 first before we go to 16.

Texas Tech-New Mexico would be a good choice because I believe that we will be expanding more into the southwest. This will depend on where OU goes and if OU goes to the SEC, this TT-UNM combo is at the top of the list because I think Texas would be too scared to go to the Pac-12 without OU. The big question will be who the last two schools would be if OU goes to the SEC and UT goes independent.

 

[Jens1893]

I think it´s a bit risky to take Tech and UNM with step 1 in hope of hitting the motherlode (combo of OU, UT, aTm) with step 2. What if you strike out with UT, OU or aTm? Would anyone take Tech or to a lesser extent UNM unless they were drag alongs of a big prize?

 

[sackman]

Tech offers nothing of value. If we're going into the state of Texas, go after UH. It's a big school in a big city.

 

[leftybuff]

Tech offers nothing of value. If we're going into the state of Texas, go after UH. It's a big commuter school in a big crappy city.

fify.

 

[GoldenBuff]

I think that the single biggest question to answer when it comes to the next major round of realignment is where the first move comes from. If it's aTm and/or OU to the SEC to escape the whorns, then I think we would have a shot at grabbing a more contrite UT. If it's the PAC going to 14 then I think it's probably something along the lines of what Nashbuff is saying. We grab a couple of "lower tier" schools in a non-BCS conference (two of NM, SDSU, Boise, etc.) and position ourselves to pick up the pieces when the Big 1+9 implodes. The most bold approach would be to rip asunder what's left of the Big 12 and grab Texas, OU, and whichever two others Larry Scott deems most worthy.

Ultimately, I think the Big 10/11/12 is going to be reactive here and that the first shot is going to be fired by either the PAC or the SEC AND that ground zero will be Austin. I think what happens with the Longwhorn network is going to ultimately drive what happens here. If it falls on its face and it doesn't get good distribution like someone was alluding to in another thread, I think they will start to have second thoughts and begin looking for a new home.

Where they ultimately land is the big question but I don't think they would have success as an independent. That's not to say they won't try it but history has shown us that being in a strong conference is more profitable than being independent. I don't think anyone would argue with me if I said that Notre Dame is considered to be the most successful independent. Their contract with NBC netted them just 10 million last year while Indiana got 22 million from the Big 10. Even with the 15 million Texas is getting for its network (and I would be surprised if that actually sticks for the full term), I don't think they can reach the same ceiling that teams in one of the new power conferences will be able to.

No matter how badass you are (or think you are), a "power conference" will always be able to negotiate a more profitable deal than any single school. Notre Dame's contract was huge and groundbreaking 5 years ago but I think they've gone as high as they're probably going to go and I don't think Texas will ever get a better deal than what they have now. Say what you want to about unions, but collective bargaining is way more effective than going it alone. Texas will ultimately have to find a conference to play in sooner or later. It's just a question of whether or not it's ours. If it is though, I'm hoping it's with their tail between their legs after they realize that they can't go it alone.

 

[sackman]

I think we have a harder time recruiting against UT when we're in the same conference as them. I've made my feelings clear about that school. I want nothing to do with them in my conference.

 

[SuperiorBuff]

I pray commissioner Scott looks hard at the past and how UTerus has effectively destroyed 2 conferences. As Sacky said, I don't trust UT. To take it a step further, I don't want anything to do with UT in the near or distant future.

 

[Mick Ronson]

if you go to 14, you could pretty much stab the Big XII in the heart by taking either MU/KU or OU/OSU. all that's left is the SWC remains and ISU. while weird, MU/KU are both AAU schools, want desperately away from the current scenario where they are vassal revenue states you have to think, they are "travel partners" and big automatic rivals. KU is a legendary hoops program and have been willing to spend $$$ for football since Mangino and MU is what MU is.....2nd tier hoops and up and down football. gives you KC/STL.

it's not the best "cultural fit" but more of a big play than Boise or UNM imo (which consolidates what you've already got). then, you also have the Big Tex TV's flanked to the north and east and maybe you make a move on OU/OSU if they are truly an inseparable pair to get to 16. of course, KU and KSU did the same song and dance as OU/OSU about staying together. who knows about that? my guess is KU and MU would do it in a second. of course, MU bitching about Texas kind of got this whole thing going in the first place.

i could live without anything to do with Texas or Tech or whoever gets dragged along.

 

[MrFrumpylane]

Tech offers nothing of value. If we're going into the state of Texas, go after UH. It's a big school in a big city.

This. TV exposure, recruiting- it's a no brainer.

 

[InTheBuff]

If it were up to me, I'd take OU, KU, UNM and CSU. Yes, I know I'll take a lot of crap for that last one, but every conference needs a doormat or two. The problem is that they don't bring anything to the table. Anything at all.

Air Force brings more to the Pac 12 than csu ever will.