The Big 12 will discuss expansion this week per Sporting News

[cloverleaf]

Oklahoma president David Boren said yesterday that 25 schools have shown
interest in the Big 12 Conference. He did not list the schools.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Boren is in favor of expansion.

 

[RunLeeRun]

I'm not sure Boren is sincere in his support of expansion. I think he would take it if the ball ended up rolling that way, but I think he's rather building a portfolio for a clean exit strategy. By making all these bullet points public, he's giving himself wiggle room on if he has to be a big part of a conference change. Some think the climate isnt right for building a new network.
Boren says "psychologically disadvantaged" for not having a network, well, my guess is he knows it's very unlikely.

But as one industry insider who worked directly with programming and distribution before recently leaving for another job in the industry indicated, there's also plenty reason to be pessimistic a Big 12 network could ever get off the ground.

"I believe the days of conference networks have kind of come and gone for the most part," the insider said. "The SEC Network feels like the last one to me. No cable or satellite distributor wants to pay for another network, not in this environment."
Customers moving away from subscription are part of that environment.

"I feel that the Big 12 network is an uphill battle," the insider said. "Nobody in the industry wants to spend money right now in the satellite or cable distribution world. Nobody wants to dance in this climate. That is the biggest issue with a [Big 12] network."

 

[RunLeeRun]

The LHN is a failure. The Pac12 cant get on DTV and dreams of getting into China. That's telling. Kstate procured more 3rd Tier rights (4 mil) than the Pac 12 distributed per team (1.4mil)

 

[RunLeeRun]

Here's a little blast from the past.

link

two articles there... already talking about 14 teams (BYU)....TAM flirting with SEC, Texas flirting with Pac 10 all the while begging to get into the Big 8.

 

[groundhog11]

No way the Zona schools leave. Who would be fool enough to leave a solid Power 5 conference where you are getting a nice cushy payout to go join the shakiest conference in the country with no guarantees of their future or that they can even match what they are making now? These same kind of rumors have been floating around the last few years about Arkansas leaving the SEC to come to the Big 12. They aren't fools. No Power 5 schools are going to take that gamble. The only schools left for the Big 12 to bring in are mid majors and BYU if they change their religion...

Even though big12 is shaky, getting a few good p5 schools will vault it to no lower than 3rd in the power conferences...p12 network only paid the schools 1.4 mil I think...Arizona schools are closer other than wvu than most of the p12 schools...

 

[WinOne]

I heard on a local radio sports talk show that Arizona and Arizona State might be in
play for the Big 12. I got in on the tail end of the discussion and not sure why the
two Arizona schools were being promoted other than they were not happy with the
Pac 12.

Anyone have any knowledge of the Big 12 having any interest? Or, Arizona or State
having any interest. Also, why are these two schools disenchanted with the Pac 12
as being reported?

I heard that on sirius CFB Nation, and it's not even remotely true. It was a B12 fan mentioning it and the host shot it down. I can tell you with all the construction we have on campus at ASU, especially related to facilities, we don't have an extra $25Mil to give to PAC12 for media rights to leave the conference.
When talking about P12 Network, I think people have to remember that they wholly own their own network. There are talks that Fox is looking to buy about 35-40% and help them get the network on DirecTV. so that should be considered. But PAC12 payouts are fine, not SEC or B10, but again, they completely own their network, not ESPN.

WinOne!!

 

[WinOne]

Very interesting article on the P12 Network and distribution.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/11/30/In-Depth/Pac12.aspx

 

[Conan]

I heard that on sirius CFB Nation, and it's not even remotely true. It was a B12 fan mentioning it and the host shot it down. I can tell you with all the construction we have on campus at ASU, especially related to facilities, we don't have an extra $25Mil to give to PAC12 for media rights to leave the conference.
When talking about P12 Network, I think people have to remember that they wholly own their own network. There are talks that Fox is looking to buy about 35-40% and help them get the network on DirecTV. so that should be considered. But PAC12 payouts are fine, not SEC or B10, but again, they completely own their network, not ESPN.

WinOne!!

Startup costs have been huge and there was no one there in partnership to help pick up the tab.
I've been watching and believe me there is no shortage of commercial sponsors. By the same
token, I find the abundance of commercials to be very annoying.