Big Ten Hockey Expansion?

[J.D.]

This is all about football and I'm sorry, BC just doesn't have the cachet. When the game of musical chairs ends, BC is going to be amongst the many schools left without a seat.

Except that doesn't explain how Maryland and Rutgers got into the Big Ten then. But with the two power conferences already at 16 teams each I just wonder how you can keep expanding and then have a regular season that makes sense. With ND, Clemson, FSU, Miami, Oregon, Stanford, OK St. etc I would think there is room for a 3rd conference rather than stacking more teams into just two. But we'll see. You could see a merger of ND and the best of the rest from ACC, Pac 12, Big 12. Not sure if ND still thinks being an independent is viable.

For BC or any similar program it will come down to whether or not the SEC and Big Ten are content with dominating college football or if they want to kill off those programs entirely and not even be associated with them. To put it in hockey terms, is there room for BC to operate in an Atlantic Hockey type league compared to the SEC being the NCHC. Loose comparison but that is what I don't have a grasp on. What if Stanford, Washington, ND and Oregon went to Big Ten and Clemson, FSU, Miami and North Carolina went to SEC? You're gonna somehow have a 20 team football league playing a regular season schedule?

 

[Split-N]

...Both the SEC and Big Ten have 16 teams now so they're already there. Maybe both conferences split into four 4 team divisions and we end up with a Big Ten/SEC super bowl format.

BINGO!! I easily see both going to 20 or even 24 teams. Each conference split into two divisions that may or may not cross-schedule. Everything would lead to two division championships within each conference (total 4), two conference championship games, and finally, a SEC-B1G championship. That's a total of at least seven playoff games for which the networks and streamers would pay dearly. Remember, it's all about the Benjamins.

 

[Cross Check]

Except that doesn't explain how Maryland and Rutgers got into the Big Ten then. But with the two power conferences already at 16 teams each I just wonder how you can keep expanding and then have a regular season that makes sense. With ND, Clemson, FSU, Miami, Oregon, Stanford, OK St. etc I would think there is room for a 3rd conference rather than stacking more teams into just two. But we'll see. You could see a merger of ND and the best of the rest from ACC, Pac 12, Big 12. Not sure if ND still thinks being an independent is viable.

For BC or any similar program it will come down to whether or not the SEC and Big Ten are content with dominating college football or if they want to kill off those programs entirely and not even be associated with them. To put it in hockey terms, is there room for BC to operate in an Atlantic Hockey type league compared to the SEC being the NCHC. Loose comparison but that is what I don't have a grasp on. What if Stanford, Washington, ND and Oregon went to Big Ten and Clemson, FSU, Miami and North Carolina went to SEC? You're gonna somehow have a 20 team football league playing a regular season schedule?

Because the Big 10 wanted the New York and DMV media markets. However, each year since then as things have increasingly become nationalized, regional rivalries become less and less emphasized, and all that matters is money, the main consideration is now the individual school brands, not the market. If the Big 10 could have a do over, I would wager that at the least Rutgers would be on the outside looking in. Even so, they shouldn't count their chickens. There has already been talk of the SEC/Big 10 not just expanding, but also potentially brooming "underperforming" members. I'm not sure there's a limit to how cutthroat this whole thing is going to end up being.

 

[After the Whistle]

The latest from ACC land has the possibility of Stanford and Cal going there. Given them a broader coverage and media grasp. ND has been flirting with them for years but may finally go to B10. We’ll see.
And todays rumor has GT possibly going to B10 not because they want Tech but they want both the recruiting area and media coverage. My guess is it will be a sh… show for next 2-4 years until they all leave the NCAA to become?????

 

[After the Whistle]

The latest from ACC land has the possibility of Stanford and Cal going there. Given them a broader coverage and media grasp. ND has been flirting with them for years but may finally go to B10. We’ll see.
And todays rumor has GT possibly going to B10 not because they want Tech but they want both the recruiting area and media coverage. My guess is it will be a …. show for next 2-4 years until they all leave the NCAA to become?????

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Cautionary tale along these lines: Maryland dropped seven (yes, 7) sports, including m/w swimming and m/w track and field in order to afford B1G football and hoops. I live maybe 10 miles from the Maryland campus and can tell you for a fact that there are still many Terps alums and others who rue the day Maryland decided to leave the ACC.

A noteworthy cautionary tale that chasing football and hoop money has downsides: ACC moves for 'Cuse and BC haven't worked out on the field. Football is a millstone around the neck of UConn's athletic department.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

BINGO!! I easily see both going to 20 or even 24 teams. Each conference split into two divisions that may or may not cross-schedule. Everything would lead to two division championships within each conference (total 4), two conference championship games, and finally, a SEC-B1G championship. That's a total of at least seven playoff games for which the networks and streamers would pay dearly. Remember, it's all about the Benjamins.

I predict all the conferences will merge into a single nationwide conference. They can call it the "NCAA". ;-)

 

[J.D.]

A noteworthy cautionary tale that chasing football and hoop money has downsides: ACC moves for 'Cuse and BC haven't worked out on the field. Football is a millstone around the neck of UConn's athletic department.

BC did have success in early ACC years. Both in football and hoops. Bad hires then led to a lot of losing. Of course now they have coaches who are recruiting very well but face the uncertain future of the ACC. Big East football eventually fell apart. BC has no regrets on going to the ACC.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Except that doesn't explain how Maryland and Rutgers got into the Big Ten then.

Everyone needs a Homecoming opponent.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Gotta wonder if certain boards of trustees will finally see this scam for what it is and draw a proverbial line in the sand. Not holding my breath, though.

There's a chance Cal and Stanford do so, but we're talking very small chance. Then again, it has to start somewhere.

 

[Lost_Husky]

I predict all the conferences will merge into a single nationwide conference. They can call it the "NCAA". ;-)

My gut feeling is the B1G/SEC are looking to rid themselves of the NCAA governing body. With the recent SC decision (NIL) and comments by SC Judge(s) about the NCAA and their questionable labor rules, why would anyone want to stay with the NCAA? The whole "Student athlete" concept is dead.

How long is this dog and pony show of being minor league football going to last? Top tier minor league baseball/hockey don't get this kind of money. How is that going to last in football before people say these are sports clubs under the "brand" of a University and have little to no connection with the students? How long before the NFL looks to talk a cut of the profits? Money is at the root of all of this and the NCAA/B1G/SEC have to realize the NFL could destroy much of it with a few minor changes.

 

[Lost_Husky]

There's a chance Cal and Stanford do so, but we're talking very small chance. Then again, it has to start somewhere.

Many, non-top level athletic programs have to.

At this point there is so much money being thrown around, do they even care if it funds itself?

 

[The Sicatoka]

Except that doesn't explain how Maryland and Rutgers got into the Big Ten then.

They had Chicago media market with N'western and Illinois.
Rutgers gave entry to the NJ/NYC media market.
Maryland gave entry to the DMV media market.
Penn State gave entry to the Philly (and Pit) media market.
USC/UCLA gives entry to the LA media market.

I believe that's 1,2,3,4, and 9.

DFW is 5; SF is 6 (Cali/Stan).

 

[J.D.]

They had Chicago media market with N'western and Illinois.
Rutgers gave entry to the NJ/NYC media market.
Maryland gave entry to the DMV media market.
Penn State gave entry to the Philly (and Pit) media market.
USC/UCLA gives entry to the LA media market.

I believe that's 1,2,3,4, and 9.

DFW is 5; SF is 6 (Cali/Stan).

This is what I was getting at with adding BC. You would add the Boston market and at the same time conveniently tidy up Big Ten hockey by adding an 8th team. Even number of teams makes scheduling easier.

 

[njmav1]

If football splits off, what's to say the NCAA doesn't tell them to take all their sports with them? March Madness going to get real interesting, real quick then.

Because the NCAA is an entity made up of the school members- B1G/SEC included. Besides, that would devalue March Madness.

 

[njmav1]

Except that doesn't explain how Maryland and Rutgers got into the Big Ten then. But with the two power conferences already at 16 teams each I just wonder how you can keep expanding and then have a regular season that makes sense. With ND, Clemson, FSU, Miami, Oregon, Stanford, OK St. etc I would think there is room for a 3rd conference rather than stacking more teams into just two. But we'll see. You could see a merger of ND and the best of the rest from ACC, Pac 12, Big 12. Not sure if ND still thinks being an independent is viable.

For BC or any similar program it will come down to whether or not the SEC and Big Ten are content with dominating college football or if they want to kill off those programs entirely and not even be associated with them. To put it in hockey terms, is there room for BC to operate in an Atlantic Hockey type league compared to the SEC being the NCHC. Loose comparison but that is what I don't have a grasp on. What if Stanford, Washington, ND and Oregon went to Big Ten and Clemson, FSU, Miami and North Carolina went to SEC? You're gonna somehow have a 20 team football league playing a regular season schedule?

Rutgers gave access not only to the NY Metro market, it's also home to a lot of B1G alumni. Maryland and Rutgers being Tier 1 research schools, AAU members, and land grant flagships checked off the academic qualifications.

 

[njmav1]

This is what I was getting at with adding BC. You would add the Boston market and at the same time conveniently tidy up Big Ten hockey by adding an 8th team. Even number of teams makes scheduling easier.

From everything I've read, Notre Dame is the only Catholic non AAU school the Big Ten presidents are interested in. Boston is a weird market because it doesn't have an FBS presence outside of BC and perhaps UMass and football is driving this realignment. That's kind of a shame since it wouldn't be a surprise if there's a lot of (or enought) B1G alumni in the Boston area.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

A noteworthy cautionary tale that chasing football and hoop money has downsides: ACC moves for 'Cuse and BC haven't worked out on the field. Football is a millstone around the neck of UConn's athletic department.

Back when Syracuse was leaving the Big East and going to the ACC, Jim Boeheim talked about how he was not happy leaving the Big East, but understood all these decisions are driven by football.

It's only about chasing football money. Not hoops money.

 

[Lost_Husky]

Back when Syracuse was leaving the Big East and going to the ACC, Jim Boeheim talked about how he was not happy leaving the Big East, but understood all these decisions are driven by football.

It's only about chasing football money. Not hoops money.

Agreed, but the NCAA basketball tournament generates a not insignificant amount of money. It is something that has to considered for some of the schools that believe they are basketball schools (UCLA, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,...) regardless of recent success/lack there of in both sports.

 

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Agreed, but the NCAA basketball tournament generates a not insignificant amount of money. It is something that has to considered for some of the schools that believe they are basketball schools (UCLA, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,...) regardless of recent success/lack there of in both sports.

The NCAA brings in over $1B from March Madness which is their primary revenue source. They generously return about $170M of this to the tournament participants. I have to believe the new P2 will get around to doing the $1B-$.17B math at some point.