Uh-Oh, Could Big12 be expanding!?

[True Bearcat]

I find it interesting to see that the AAC is trying to get more money out of ESPN which basically destroyed the Big East. If ESPN wants these teams to the Big 12, it will happen. If ESPN wants to sabotage UC's chances of going big, they will find a way.

The Big XII contract is split between Fox and ESPN. Without the official breakdown in front of me I am willing to bet that Fox has more Big XII games than ESPN. With that said I wonder if ESPN is willing to lose those tv markets to a competitor or will up the AAC's payout and include them into a P6.

[bearcatbret]

I find it interesting to see that the AAC is trying to get more money out of ESPN which basically destroyed the Big East. If ESPN wants these teams to the Big 12, it will happen. If ESPN wants to sabotage UC's chances of going big, they will find a way.

[Lobot]

IMO no additional money, grant of rights or TV contract should keep us from leaving the American. Even if we're the doormat for a while.

[True Bearcat]

http://www.bcsnn.com/aac/777-memphis...alignment.html

Here's the link to the article. I'm going with old saying where there's smoke there's fire.

[98bearcat]

Well, more back-office rumors, I believe there are a couple outlets reporting Aresco has recently started trying to extend the contract ESPN and increase the payout, but here is a view as to why he has started doing that:

What this league has to worry about right now is ECU, UC, UCF and USF going to the Big 12 to help create an East Division and get a conference championship game. Details are still very sketchy, but it appears the doors have finally opened to the Big 12 finding regional teams for WVU to assist with travel and also establish a long sought after Florida footprint for the league. Multiple sources have suggested that Mike Aresco is already trying to renegotiate the American's current TV deal for the league in an effort to keep these teams in the conference with more money and a possible Grant of Rights. But Aresco's response is reportedly forcing the hand of the Big 12 even faster.

[bearcatbret]

If I recall. it was this time of year when we heard about Pitt. Then again about Rutgers and Maryland. I could be wrong though but I thought that the word came out in the first half of the season.

[Bearcat_Fan]

Isn't this the wrong time of year for this talk? Thought the conference realignment talk normally happens towards the end of the year... Makes sense for the BIG12 to expand their footprint.

[bearcatbret]

The reason Big 12 considering ECU upsets so many people is that many schools who felt superior to ECU realize they are being passed up.
Reply0 replies Retweet0 retweets Favorite1 favorite1

Well, it is not always about the superior programs (see Rutgers). It is about TV markets, recruiting hotbeds, etc. Cincinnati is high on the TV market and high school football. Not sure about ECU.

[98bearcat]

Big battle between Big 12 schools is taking conf to 12 or 14. TV entities will keep per team $ the same regardless.Locks are Cinci & UCF......lots of conversation regarding UConn, ECU, USF, Memphis.....you can forget BYU & Boise St.The Big 12 is excited about idea of being the only major conference with a presence in Texas, Ohio & Florida. Networks love this as well.The reason Big 12 considering ECU upsets so many people is that many schools who felt superior to ECU realize they are being passed up.
Reply0 replies Retweet0 retweets Favorite1 favorite1

[nolte50uc]

Noticed Santa Ono follows this guy on Twitter. Not sure if there is any meaning to that or not. Probably not, but I fount that interesting.

noticed that too. pretty random, i thought.

this story got my interest, but i can't let myself get too excited until there's more smoke around it. keeping my fingers crossed though...

[coach]

Although it would likely be an upgrade from current $, not all of these expansion deals have been full sharing partners as i understand it. Cross that bridge when/if something does happen which i suspect it will in time.

[mjv780]

Whether this guy is legit or not, this could be good news for UC, just from a money perspective. The income any of the P5 conferences bring to their members far surpasses anything the AAC can provide, and CASH IS KING. I'm not even thinking about competition at this point... that can be figured out later.

[uccat04]

Noticed Santa Ono follows this guy on Twitter. Not sure if there is any meaning to that or not. Probably not, but I fount that interesting.

[True Bearcat]

Tuxedo Yoda is a joke. I don't believe a word this joker says.

[coach]

Putting aside the fball ramifications, putting cincy and uconn with the current big 12 slate is a nice league.