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They are looking for office space in NYC according to their Commish.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ter ... =pp_widget

I guess this is the answer to the question: "Why did the Big Ten take Rutgers?"

They're obviously serious about this. IMO, they're a much bigger threat than the ACC ever was to schedule their conference basketball tournament in NYC. The Big Ten now actually has a presence in the NYC metro area - something which the ACC does not. They have a ton of alumni in the region. It would be the kind of thing they would do to promote their conference with the cable networks. They want to build up interest in the Big Ten with local subscribers; the best way to do that would be to create a big event presence in the City. They don't need to build up interest in the Midwest. so they could abandon that location for a while.

This would be nothing new for the Big Ten. Before the ACC existed, the Big Ten was one of the movers & shakers in the formation of the NCAA basketball tournament in response to the NIT. The NIT was originally the more prominent tournament. So, what did the NCAA do in the era before TV? They moved their tournament to Madison Square Garden for 6 or 7 years until they had established their credibility in the media capitol of the country. It would not surprise me at all if the Big ten does exactly the same thing with their conference tournament.

I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

marquette wrote:I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

This. Most (if not all) of the Big Ten powers are in the midwest. They aren't bailing for the likes of Rutgers, Maryland and Penn St.

If the B1G would somehow take MSG, that means Chicago would be without a tourney. I think the Big East could own Chicago if the B1G pulls out, which is why they won't do it. At best, they'll be looking for a rotation between NYC & Chicago.

Power brokers, and media giants often live in and around NYC. UCONN fans believe this move gives them a leg up joining the BIG, RU fans think it is because they want to take over MSG. But the reality of the matter is they are going there because some of the most talented people in the business live there (making them better able to hire quality people) and because the corporate partners and people that they make deals with are often based out of there.
The real question is, why would they want to stay in Rosemont, Illinois

marquette wrote:I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

Not to mention that Rutgers doesn't even show up for their own home games. Anyone looking for BET tickets prior to their departure knew they could always reach out to RU and South Florida and be able to get seats. I don't see the Big 10 pissing off their entire conference to pacify a school that doesn't travel well and doesn't really belong in their conference to begin with.

Bluejay wrote:

marquette wrote:I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

This. Most (if not all) of the Big Ten powers are in the midwest. They aren't bailing for the likes of Rutgers, Maryland and Penn St.

If the B1G would somehow take MSG, that means Chicago would be without a tourney. I think the Big East could own Chicago if the B1G pulls out, which is why they won't do it. At best, they'll be looking for a rotation between NYC & Chicago.

I could see the Atlantic 10 being bumped from Barclay's with either the Big Ten or ACC filling their space. However, big time, big boy ball is played at MSG and the only conference filling that bill is the Big East!

I don't see where it implies the B1G is moving. A new office doesn't have to be headquarters. The B1G just built a new headquarters this last year, I can't believe he is implying they're going to move out starting next year.

JOPO wrote:

Bluejay wrote:

marquette wrote:I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

This. Most (if not all) of the Big Ten powers are in the midwest. They aren't bailing for the likes of Rutgers, Maryland and Penn St.

If the B1G would somehow take MSG, that means Chicago would be without a tourney. I think the Big East could own Chicago if the B1G pulls out, which is why they won't do it. At best, they'll be looking for a rotation between NYC & Chicago.

I could see the Atlantic 10 being bumped from Barclay's with either the Big Ten or ACC filling their space. However, big time, big boy ball is played at MSG and the only conference filling that bill is the Big East!

I'd find that almost fitting that the A-10 would be "fired" from their conference tournament site. It's not like winning that league matters at all.

Big East holds onto MSG regardless...what's the issue?

JOPO wrote:

marquette wrote:I think MSG wants longer commitments than the B1G would be willing to give. And no, the B1G can't abandon the midwest for a decade, the bulk of the fanbase would freak out.

Not to mention that Rutgers doesn't even show up for their own home games. Anyone looking for BET tickets prior to their departure knew they could always reach out to RU and South Florida and be able to get seats. I don't see the Big 10 pissing off their entire conference to pacify a school that doesn't travel well and doesn't really belong in their conference to begin with.

(this post is not directed at you, you just got me thinking with this)

That's another thing. For the B1G to take over New York I feel like Rutgers (which, as we all know, isn't actually a NYC school) would have to become absolutely dominant in either basketball or football. It's the only thing I can see bringing loads of fans out to games. That's just unlikely. Which current B1G school is going to stumble and allow Rutgers to take their place? Ohio State? Michigan? Michigan State? Hell, Wisconsin? I don't see that happening in the near future. The B1G absolutely has a large alumni base in New York City, but way more wind up in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati. A lot even wind up right here in Milwaukee (trust me, I have to deal with them all the time). Even after a decade of alienating Midwest fans to build a fanbase in NY, what hapens when they want to rotate every other year with Chicago? Or every 3 with Chicago/Indianapolis/NY all in the mix? Seems like pissing money and the goodwill of fans down the drain for very little gain. Then again, what is conference realignment if not an abandonment of tradition in pursuit of short term gains?