Conference Realignment: What Next?

[kayako]

Big 12 adds four schools is official. A little on the timing:

It's also possible the Big 12 could make a second realignment push in the coming years, according to sources.

This severely hampers AAC and MWC's ability to backfill for eternity.

[ArmyVet]

Big 12 adds four schools is official. A little on the timing:

It's also possible the Big 12 could make a second realignment push in the coming years, according to sources.

This severely hampers AAC and MWC's ability to backfill for eternity.

I hadn't considered that and it is a great point.

[DudeAnon]

It's been a rough couple of years for the AAC, losing UConn, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati. They still have Memphis for basketball.

Unless they can somehow poach from the mwc they are now cusa. Bigxii is now the new American with good basketball.

"Good" might be underselling their basketball a bit. They will still be the best basketball league in the country.



Also, I don't follow college football closely, but I know that Baylor, TCU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, BYU, West Virginia and Oklahoma State are all legit football programs. People seem to be really jumping the gun on the Big XII's demise.

[Sadshockerfan]

Sigh, we would kill to be in BE.

Anywho, Shocker fans know that isn’t going to happen.

[ArmyVet]

You have to wonder if Gonzaga is unhappy remaining in the WCC with BYU leaving?

[admin]

Saint Louis fan here just observing from afar. While SLU fans would love to be the next addition to the Big East, I don't think any are expecting that call to come any time soon. It seems as though there may be some consideration that SLU isn't as committed to basketball as some Big East fans might want for a new addition to the league. I would just note that SLU's basketball budget (as of most recent public data in 2019) is bigger than VCU, Xavier, Depaul and Butler. The financial investment in the program has increased substantially in the past decade, largely driven by the program's biggest booster, Richard Chaifetz. If SLU were to ever join the Big East, I don't think it would have difficulty fitting in from a financial, facilities, or other expenditure perspective. And on a more personal note, I really miss the games against Marquette, DePaul and Xavier.

Regardless, with all of the football-dominated realignment going on I can guarantee that SLU and Atlantic 10 fans more broadly will be rooting for the Big East harder than ever, as basketball-only programs continue to dig in to confirm their relevance in the broader NCAA landscape.

I am generally opposed to the Big East expanding for a variety of reasons, however, if one school were to be added my money would be on SLU. Not sure if/when it will happen, but you have a chance.

[Jet915]

Wow, Kansas AD speaking the truth publicly:

Jesse Newell
@jessenewell
KU AD Travis Goff on $ implications: "We’re less secure now than we were eight weeks ago, and maybe significantly financially less secure. The facts are there’s most likely a scenario where when we do a new deal with a makeup where we likely can’t stay at the level we’re at

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

Wow, Kansas AD speaking the truth publicly:

KU AD Travis Goff on $ implications: "We’re less secure now than we were eight weeks ago, and maybe significantly financially less secure. The facts are there’s most likely a scenario where when we do a new deal with a makeup where we likely can’t stay at the level we’re at".

It’s good (and rare) for a college athletic director to speak the truth publicly.


Big 12 officially invites BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF – Nick Bromberg, Yahoo! – September 10, 2021


AAC claims it's a 'power conference' because Cincinnati, Houston and UCF are heading to the Big 12 – Nick Bromberg, Yahoo! – September 10, 2021


The AAC is reeling after losing Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to the Big 12, and recovering won't be easy – Gary Parrish, CBS Sports – September 10, 2021


What is the impact of the Big 12 moves on college basketball – ESPN Staff - September 10, 2021


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[Omaha1]

Wow, Kansas AD speaking the truth publicly:

Jesse Newell
@jessenewell
KU AD Travis Goff on $ implications: "We’re less secure now than we were eight weeks ago, and maybe significantly financially less secure. The facts are there’s most likely a scenario where when we do a new deal with a makeup where we likely can’t stay at the level we’re at

Financially speaking he is correct. They are less secure. However, basically none of their members are real candidates to join the big four leagues. If they were, it seems likely they would have been added already. Plus, there are very few options a level down to add to the big 12 now. I think things will stay pretty static for a while.

[Burrito]

The Big 12 is still a top tier basketball conference and a very good football conference. It just doesn't have any marquee football brands that drive the media rights deals. Once Texas and Oklahoma leave, that conference is just not as valuable.
And it's going to be pretty spread out geographically with teams in Florida, Ohio and Utah.