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Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk
So where does the Big 12 go now? Wait to see if FSU wants out? Stay at 10?
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Louisville wasn't in the B12's major plans. At one time they were when we were struggling to keep the conference together, but the new contract for the B12 is different than conferences pursuing the conference network strategy. The B12 gets larger pay outs per team based on the ratings the school drives when itplays, this is what Bowlsby means by "an electronic footprint". Louisville was in the neutral to negative impact, so we're not taking Louisville, especially if it just an increase of two teams.
Now, the rumors are that FOX has indicated they will beef up their contract if the B12 adds southeast schools. FOX does not have presence in that part of the country and they very much would like the inventory there. Further, even though Miami is in a lot of trouble and draws horribly for their games, they still move the needle when they play on TV. So, the B12 is now hoping for something like: Miami, FSU, Clemson, GT. Leave the last two spots open and see what shakes out.
The problem is that FSU is still holding out to see if it can get an SEC invite, despite the reality of such not being very good. That is their first choice. They would prefer a B1G invite to us as well, but I doubt the B1G is interested. Depending on what the B1G and the SEC do (and their expansion is primarily driven by their network/proposed network marketing strategy), with the prized NC-VA markets. B1G could look to a more northeastern school like UConn or even Syracuse.
Nobody in the ACC wants to be "the school" that kills the ACC, but UVA really wants to up their research opportunities that the B1G can provide, so I think that's the fulcrum point. If UVA goes, VT is free to go SEC, and then the Carolina schools have to make some serious decisions.