Re: Big Ten 2015-2016
I think we'll see Sun Devils hockey entering into an affiliate agreement with the Big Ten very soon. They're not AAU, but have a good grad school and an academic reputation the Big Ten requires. However, I don't think we'll see the formation of a "cooperative league", but the market potential for the Big Ten to negotiate a broader "cooperative/friendly" relationship with the Pac-12 by adding ASU is most likely being discussed. Moreover, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany has already admitted that the Phoenix market is actually home to more Big Ten alums than Pac-12 alums.
I think it's important to note that the unfortunate dark underbelly of Big Ten sports today, and in this case B1G college hockey, is primarily money driven with entertainment value running a close second. Media exposure is EVERYTHING for the Big Ten and they've been on the leading edge of it for quite sometime.
So for example, the Sun Devils may be willing to commit to playing a couple Big Ten football teams, basketball games, and possibly some NC baseball games (ASU has a strong baseball program) which would expand the Big Ten footprint, boost ratings and bring in boo-coo TV revenue ($$$).
The Big Ten's football and basketball deals with ESPN/ABC and CBS are set to expire after the 2016-17 basketball season and from what I've read, the Big Ten will be looking at significant increases from its 10-year, $1 billion deal with ESPN/ABC for football and basketball and 6-year, $72 million pact with CBS for basketball. It already has a 25-year, $2.8 billion deal with the league-run BTN that extends through 2031-32.
ASU could be the linchpin metric that bridges a time share media package with the other media giants that will rake in big bucks for the Big Ten with a view to a more "cooperative/friendly" relationship with the Pac-12 down the road. Whether it be ESPN or ESPN2 it doesn't matter, either one is going to broaden the media footprint compared to games on BTN alone. It's all about cash flow now.
As far as Notre Dame leaving HE and joining the Big Ten, I tend to agree that it's a more remote prospect simply because of it's historically independent status, dysfunctional relationship with the Big Ten and its proprietary media coverage. I'd like to see something more organic for Big Ten hockey emerge like Nebraska or Illinois, of which both have near immediate potential from a club team, fanbase and facilities perspective. However the Title IX issue still looms large for financial donors to engage in those startup projects.
ASU coming in as an affiliate would certainly open the Big Ten affiliate door a bit wider and raise the possibility that the Big Ten would be talking with a few established college hockey programs to enter through that door as well. But one thing is for sure, the Big Ten will be very careful and somewhat conservative in the selection of their affiliate member candidates. Sorry about the length of this...
Ramblings.
