NCAA Confernces expanded and disappearing
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Syracuse, Pitt on the way out?
By Andrea Adelson
Is the Big East about to suffer a deathblow from which it cannot recover?
ACC blogger Heather Dinich is reporting that Syracuse and Pitt have applied for membership into the ACC, a bit of deja vu for a league that already has been decimated by the ACC once before. The Big East has no comment today, but news that two flagship programs are ready to jump ship has made this a very bad morning for commissioner John Marinatto and anybody associated with the league.
The popular thought was Oklahoma and Texas could key what happens in the next wave of expansion. But the ACC clearly is being proactive in an attempt to bolster itself. The ACC has increased its buyout for teams to $20 million. Meanwhile, the Big East buyout remains at $5 million with 27 months notice.
The fact that Syracuse and Pitt are ready to jump ship clearly signals they do not believe in the future of the league, which has been on shaky ground since conference realignment began last year. The Big East made the move to add TCU but has been silent since then, perhaps waiting on other moves before increasing its ranks. That appears to be backward thinking right now.
Syracuse and Pitt are two of the rock-solid programs in the Big East. Their departure would be tough to swallow. The Big East survived after Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech bolted for the ACC. But losing Syracuse and Pitt could be devastating. Sure the possibility exists that the Big 12 implodes and the Big East can add Kansas and Kansas State. Maybe even Missouri.
Word is that Baylor and Iowa State have already reached out to the Big East as a backup in case the Big 12 falls apart.
But that is no sure thing. And what happens to the rest of the league schools? Do they begin the application process somewhere else? The fact that the Big East is not commenting is disappointing, considering this story is so skewed to the ACC perspective right now. But a nondenial means this is a very real situation that the Big East is trying to get a grip on as it tries to save itself.
By Andrea Adelson
Is the Big East about to suffer a deathblow from which it cannot recover?
ACC blogger Heather Dinich is reporting that Syracuse and Pitt have applied for membership into the ACC, a bit of deja vu for a league that already has been decimated by the ACC once before. The Big East has no comment today, but news that two flagship programs are ready to jump ship has made this a very bad morning for commissioner John Marinatto and anybody associated with the league.
The popular thought was Oklahoma and Texas could key what happens in the next wave of expansion. But the ACC clearly is being proactive in an attempt to bolster itself. The ACC has increased its buyout for teams to $20 million. Meanwhile, the Big East buyout remains at $5 million with 27 months notice.
The fact that Syracuse and Pitt are ready to jump ship clearly signals they do not believe in the future of the league, which has been on shaky ground since conference realignment began last year. The Big East made the move to add TCU but has been silent since then, perhaps waiting on other moves before increasing its ranks. That appears to be backward thinking right now.
Syracuse and Pitt are two of the rock-solid programs in the Big East. Their departure would be tough to swallow. The Big East survived after Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech bolted for the ACC. But losing Syracuse and Pitt could be devastating. Sure the possibility exists that the Big 12 implodes and the Big East can add Kansas and Kansas State. Maybe even Missouri.
Word is that Baylor and Iowa State have already reached out to the Big East as a backup in case the Big 12 falls apart.
But that is no sure thing. And what happens to the rest of the league schools? Do they begin the application process somewhere else? The fact that the Big East is not commenting is disappointing, considering this story is so skewed to the ACC perspective right now. But a nondenial means this is a very real situation that the Big East is trying to get a grip on as it tries to save itself.
UConn eyes ACC move
UConn president Susan Herbst is aggressively pursuing membership in the ACC to become the 15th or 16th member institution in the conference, according to a source with direct knowledge of UConn's situation.
According to the source, Herbst was having conversations recently but in light of Pittsburgh's and Syracuse's defections from the Big East, the talks have accelerated in the last 48 hours.
O'Neil: Sad weekend for the Big East
On the same weekend league founder Dave Gavitt passed away, his beloved Big East forever changed because of greed and hypocrisy. That's a shame, writes Dana O'Neil. Story
• Blog: Complete analysis
In a statement earlier Sunday, Herbst said that although UConn was "a proud charter member of the Big East" the school was staying "actively involved in discussions with our counterparts from around the country to ensure the successful long-term future of our university's athletic program."
Earlier Sunday, ACC commissioner John Swofford said the league was comfortable with 14 schools but not philosophically opposed to expanding to 16.
Both Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina coach Roy Williams have told ESPN.com that they would endorse the ACC expanding to 16 teams comprised of two eight-team divisions.
Andy Katz covers men's college basketball for ESPN.com. Joe Schad is ESPN's college football reporter.
UConn president Susan Herbst is aggressively pursuing membership in the ACC to become the 15th or 16th member institution in the conference, according to a source with direct knowledge of UConn's situation.
According to the source, Herbst was having conversations recently but in light of Pittsburgh's and Syracuse's defections from the Big East, the talks have accelerated in the last 48 hours.
O'Neil: Sad weekend for the Big East
On the same weekend league founder Dave Gavitt passed away, his beloved Big East forever changed because of greed and hypocrisy. That's a shame, writes Dana O'Neil. Story
• Blog: Complete analysis
In a statement earlier Sunday, Herbst said that although UConn was "a proud charter member of the Big East" the school was staying "actively involved in discussions with our counterparts from around the country to ensure the successful long-term future of our university's athletic program."
Earlier Sunday, ACC commissioner John Swofford said the league was comfortable with 14 schools but not philosophically opposed to expanding to 16.
Both Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina coach Roy Williams have told ESPN.com that they would endorse the ACC expanding to 16 teams comprised of two eight-team divisions.
Andy Katz covers men's college basketball for ESPN.com. Joe Schad is ESPN's college football reporter.
Texas, OU in active Pac-12 talks
The ACC might not be the only big-name conference adding schools in the near future.
Pac-12 officials are engaged in "active discussions" with Texas and Oklahoma about how to make the Big 12 schools' addition to the conference work, a source within the Big 12 confirmed to ESPN.com's Joe Schad.
Another source confirmed to Schad on Sunday night that Texas president Bill Powers met with Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott in Los Angeles this weekend. Texas officials traveled to California to watch the Longhorns game against UCLA.
Earlier, The Austin American-Statesman reported the Pac-12 was working out final details to add Texas and Oklahoma to the conference, along with fellow Big 12 schools Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The Statesman cited a source close to the situation that stressed the deal is not yet complete, but that talks were "heating up."
The proposed deal would allow Texas to keep ESPN's Longhorn Network, though The Statesman reports the network would have to add other Pac-12 programming to the network.
The new Longhorn Network, a 24-hour showcase for Texas athletics, has caused several Big 12 members to worry it gives the Longhorns too much power and influence, especially in the areas of exposure and recruiting.
"This is not yet a done deal," a source familiar with the discussions told The Statesman, saying nothing had been definitively confirmed. "It appears that Scott is going to be able to work some magic and help Texas keep the Longhorn Network and their revenue stream."
The University of Texas regents are set to meet Monday to discuss the future of the Big 12. The meeting will come on the same day that University of Oklahoma regents are meeting on the topic of conference affiliation.
A source close to the Oklahoma athletic department told SoonerNation's Jake Trotter it's expected that the Oklahoma board of regents will vote Monday to authorize president David Boren to take action regarding conference realignment.
The source said Pittsburgh was one of the Big 12's top options as a replacement for Texas A&M, and that when Pitt announced it was going to the ACC, it "clobbered everything" regarding the Big 12's future.
Another source close to the situation told The Statesman it's expected the Texas board, like Oklahoma, will vote Monday to authorize Powers to make a decision regarding realignment.
Information from ESPN.com college football reporter Joe Schad, SoonerNation's Jake Trotter and The Associated Press was used in this report
The ACC might not be the only big-name conference adding schools in the near future.
Pac-12 officials are engaged in "active discussions" with Texas and Oklahoma about how to make the Big 12 schools' addition to the conference work, a source within the Big 12 confirmed to ESPN.com's Joe Schad.
Another source confirmed to Schad on Sunday night that Texas president Bill Powers met with Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott in Los Angeles this weekend. Texas officials traveled to California to watch the Longhorns game against UCLA.
Earlier, The Austin American-Statesman reported the Pac-12 was working out final details to add Texas and Oklahoma to the conference, along with fellow Big 12 schools Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The Statesman cited a source close to the situation that stressed the deal is not yet complete, but that talks were "heating up."
The proposed deal would allow Texas to keep ESPN's Longhorn Network, though The Statesman reports the network would have to add other Pac-12 programming to the network.
The new Longhorn Network, a 24-hour showcase for Texas athletics, has caused several Big 12 members to worry it gives the Longhorns too much power and influence, especially in the areas of exposure and recruiting.
"This is not yet a done deal," a source familiar with the discussions told The Statesman, saying nothing had been definitively confirmed. "It appears that Scott is going to be able to work some magic and help Texas keep the Longhorn Network and their revenue stream."
The University of Texas regents are set to meet Monday to discuss the future of the Big 12. The meeting will come on the same day that University of Oklahoma regents are meeting on the topic of conference affiliation.
A source close to the Oklahoma athletic department told SoonerNation's Jake Trotter it's expected that the Oklahoma board of regents will vote Monday to authorize president David Boren to take action regarding conference realignment.
The source said Pittsburgh was one of the Big 12's top options as a replacement for Texas A&M, and that when Pitt announced it was going to the ACC, it "clobbered everything" regarding the Big 12's future.
Another source close to the situation told The Statesman it's expected the Texas board, like Oklahoma, will vote Monday to authorize Powers to make a decision regarding realignment.
Information from ESPN.com college football reporter Joe Schad, SoonerNation's Jake Trotter and The Associated Press was used in this report
Big 12 discussing removal of commissioner Dan Beebe
After yesterday’s report that Oklahoma would only return to the Big 12 if the conference parted ways with commissioner Dan Beebe, it sounds like the Sooners got a quick answer to their demand.
On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Star reported that Beebe and the Big 12 are working out the terms of his resignation.
Beebe’s departure comes just a day after the Big 12 was saved for the second straight year, with the news that the Pac-12 would not expand and yank Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech.
The Big 12 has been wavering on shaky ground since last summer when both Nebraska and Colorado got the expansion train rolling by heading for new conference homes, and the loss of those four schools would have all but certainly destroyed the conference once and for all.
While Beebe, who started his tenure as Big 12 commissioner back in 2007, managed to secure a very lucrative television deal with Fox last year once the dust settled, he has been blamed for losing Texas A&M and criticized for his handling of the Longhorn Network.
Once the Oklahoma folks started squalling, you knew he was in trouble.
The leader to replace Beebe is reportedly Chuck Neinas, the former commissioner of the Big Eight Conference, but there are most likely a few other candidates to consider as well.
It’s clear that whoever ends up inheriting the job will have their work cut out for them.
The new Big 12 commissioner will be taking over a conference that has seen its fair share of turmoil over the past year.
There will be just nine schools remaining after Texas A&M makes the move to the SEC, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Missouri make the jump with them.
It's imperative that the conference look into inviting and adding schools as soon as possible.
Air Force, BYU and assorted Big East teams have all been in the discussion.
As long as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas are all committed to the future of the conference, the Big 12 has the resources to thrive in the future.
The only fear is that if the whole conference realignment wave washes back ashore next year, it would seem unlikely that the Big 12 would be able to survive a third straight big blow.
Right now, though, the Big 12 is still breathing, and if the new commissioner can come in and add a few notable schools and smooth over the Longhorn Network issue, he will be applauded. However, if he fails to get those issues taken care of, the Big 12’s foundation will start to crack once again.
After yesterday’s report that Oklahoma would only return to the Big 12 if the conference parted ways with commissioner Dan Beebe, it sounds like the Sooners got a quick answer to their demand.
On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Star reported that Beebe and the Big 12 are working out the terms of his resignation.
Beebe’s departure comes just a day after the Big 12 was saved for the second straight year, with the news that the Pac-12 would not expand and yank Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech.
The Big 12 has been wavering on shaky ground since last summer when both Nebraska and Colorado got the expansion train rolling by heading for new conference homes, and the loss of those four schools would have all but certainly destroyed the conference once and for all.
While Beebe, who started his tenure as Big 12 commissioner back in 2007, managed to secure a very lucrative television deal with Fox last year once the dust settled, he has been blamed for losing Texas A&M and criticized for his handling of the Longhorn Network.
Once the Oklahoma folks started squalling, you knew he was in trouble.
The leader to replace Beebe is reportedly Chuck Neinas, the former commissioner of the Big Eight Conference, but there are most likely a few other candidates to consider as well.
It’s clear that whoever ends up inheriting the job will have their work cut out for them.
The new Big 12 commissioner will be taking over a conference that has seen its fair share of turmoil over the past year.
There will be just nine schools remaining after Texas A&M makes the move to the SEC, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Missouri make the jump with them.
It's imperative that the conference look into inviting and adding schools as soon as possible.
Air Force, BYU and assorted Big East teams have all been in the discussion.
As long as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas are all committed to the future of the conference, the Big 12 has the resources to thrive in the future.
The only fear is that if the whole conference realignment wave washes back ashore next year, it would seem unlikely that the Big 12 would be able to survive a third straight big blow.
Right now, though, the Big 12 is still breathing, and if the new commissioner can come in and add a few notable schools and smooth over the Longhorn Network issue, he will be applauded. However, if he fails to get those issues taken care of, the Big 12’s foundation will start to crack once again.
Big 12 agrees to invite TCU
IDK if this is a move to appease Missouri from leaving or as a move to replace Missouri...but I hope this goes through...It would make alot more sense.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7066994/report-big-12-agrees-invite-tcu-horned-frogs
People with knowledge of the decision say Big 12 leaders have agreed to invite TCU to join the fractured league as early as the 2012 football season.
The offer to TCU will be extended sometime in the next few days, according to two people with ties to the Big 12. The people spoke only on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the decision.
TCU, the defending Rose Bowl champion, agreed earlier this year to leave the Mountain West Conference after this season for the Big East, which has an automatic BCS berth.
But the Big East is on the verge of losing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC.
The Big 12 lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) over the summer and will lose Texas A&M to the SEC next year. Missouri is also exploring options to leave the Big 12.
IDK if this is a move to appease Missouri from leaving or as a move to replace Missouri...but I hope this goes through...It would make alot more sense.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7066994/report-big-12-agrees-invite-tcu-horned-frogs
People with knowledge of the decision say Big 12 leaders have agreed to invite TCU to join the fractured league as early as the 2012 football season.
The offer to TCU will be extended sometime in the next few days, according to two people with ties to the Big 12. The people spoke only on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the decision.
TCU, the defending Rose Bowl champion, agreed earlier this year to leave the Mountain West Conference after this season for the Big East, which has an automatic BCS berth.
But the Big East is on the verge of losing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC.
The Big 12 lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) over the summer and will lose Texas A&M to the SEC next year. Missouri is also exploring options to leave the Big 12.
Like you said, Big 10 said fuck off and Im pretty sure the SEC is doing the same in a nicer way. All of this "Mizzou wants to join SEC talk". Wheres the SEC wants Mizzou talk? Its nowhere to be seen, I dont see it happening. Mizzou just wants away from Texas but if they didnt base almost all of their recruiting outta Texas and gettin their sloppy seconds, they might beat them once in awhile.
Big East courts Boise State, Temple
By LENN ROBBINS
Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is why the Big East has begun the process of inviting schools to bolster its depleted football conference with the goal to get to 12 teams.
In order to try to maintain its automatic BCS berth -- the league's No. 1 priority, said two sources -- the Big East is poised to invite two programs that were barely on their radar at the start of the year -- Boise State and Temple, The Post has learned.
The bottom line is the league, which must get to a minimum of eight members as per NCAA guidelines, must have a membership that appeals to TV and bowl power makers.
Boise State has become a recognized brand due to the success of its program, and Temple, which is based in Philadelphia, also the home of Comcast (which recently merged with NBC), suddenly looks very good. The invitations to those two are imminent.
"On a teleconference earlier today, our presidents and chancellors authorized the Big East Conference to engage in formal discussions with additional institutions and are considering moving to a model that includes 12 football playing schools," Big East commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement released yesterday.
Temple, which would join in all sports giving the league another strong basketball program, was ousted from the league after the 2004 season for failing to maintain its commitment to football but enjoyed a terrific resurgence under former coach Al Golden, now the head coach at the University of Miami.
Boise State, which would join in football only, has beaten the likes of Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and Georgia in recent years. The Broncos have a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Kellen Moore, and for the third straight year are flirting with playing in the BCS National Championship game.
Whether that's enough for the Big East to keep its automatic berth after the 2013 season remains to be seen. Without that status, the Big East is no better off than the Mountain West or Conference USA.
"It will depend on the TV people and the bowl people," said a BCS source. "If they want that conference to be in it, they'll be in it. I think the Big East would have an edge over those other conferences."
As reported more than two years ago by The Post, the Big East has reached out to the three service academies. Air Force and Navy are very interested in joining in football only, but Army does not believe it can be competitive on a weekly basis and will remain independent, sources said.
The inclusion of Air Force, Navy, Boise State and Temple leave two slots remaining. Sources said Boise State would like a partner with roots in the West, opening the door for Houston and/or SMU. Central Florida, which has been blocked in the past from gaining an invitation by South Florida, would finally get its wish.
Villanova, already a member in basketball, has been debating making the move the move up from FCS to FBS. Villanova, however, is a long way behind in the big-time college football facilities race.
It appears the only obstacle standing in the way of this reconfigured league is the fate of Missouri, a Big 12 member which has thrown itself to the SEC. If the SEC opts to take Missouri, the Big 12 would likely invite Louisville.
The Big East would then have to invite SMU and Houston, although losing Louisville would hurt the league's BCS profile. The Big East would have East and West Divisions in football.
But if Missouri remains in the Big 12, which seemed to be the way the wind was blowing, one source told The Post, the Big East might dodge the bullet one last time. It would then go to the TV negotiating table with a presence in some strong markets (New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore) with some programs that have big upsides (Central and South Florida, Cincinnati) and the tradition of Air Force and Navy.
The inclusion of Boise State, Air Force and Navy in football only would allow the league to determine how to split its TV revenue. The football only schools would likely get less than the full members.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/coll...big_east_U22xibwuFceRSIp0ZONh5O#ixzz1aglg9uhY
By LENN ROBBINS
Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is why the Big East has begun the process of inviting schools to bolster its depleted football conference with the goal to get to 12 teams.
In order to try to maintain its automatic BCS berth -- the league's No. 1 priority, said two sources -- the Big East is poised to invite two programs that were barely on their radar at the start of the year -- Boise State and Temple, The Post has learned.
The bottom line is the league, which must get to a minimum of eight members as per NCAA guidelines, must have a membership that appeals to TV and bowl power makers.
Boise State has become a recognized brand due to the success of its program, and Temple, which is based in Philadelphia, also the home of Comcast (which recently merged with NBC), suddenly looks very good. The invitations to those two are imminent.
"On a teleconference earlier today, our presidents and chancellors authorized the Big East Conference to engage in formal discussions with additional institutions and are considering moving to a model that includes 12 football playing schools," Big East commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement released yesterday.
Temple, which would join in all sports giving the league another strong basketball program, was ousted from the league after the 2004 season for failing to maintain its commitment to football but enjoyed a terrific resurgence under former coach Al Golden, now the head coach at the University of Miami.
Boise State, which would join in football only, has beaten the likes of Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and Georgia in recent years. The Broncos have a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Kellen Moore, and for the third straight year are flirting with playing in the BCS National Championship game.
Whether that's enough for the Big East to keep its automatic berth after the 2013 season remains to be seen. Without that status, the Big East is no better off than the Mountain West or Conference USA.
"It will depend on the TV people and the bowl people," said a BCS source. "If they want that conference to be in it, they'll be in it. I think the Big East would have an edge over those other conferences."
As reported more than two years ago by The Post, the Big East has reached out to the three service academies. Air Force and Navy are very interested in joining in football only, but Army does not believe it can be competitive on a weekly basis and will remain independent, sources said.
The inclusion of Air Force, Navy, Boise State and Temple leave two slots remaining. Sources said Boise State would like a partner with roots in the West, opening the door for Houston and/or SMU. Central Florida, which has been blocked in the past from gaining an invitation by South Florida, would finally get its wish.
Villanova, already a member in basketball, has been debating making the move the move up from FCS to FBS. Villanova, however, is a long way behind in the big-time college football facilities race.
It appears the only obstacle standing in the way of this reconfigured league is the fate of Missouri, a Big 12 member which has thrown itself to the SEC. If the SEC opts to take Missouri, the Big 12 would likely invite Louisville.
The Big East would then have to invite SMU and Houston, although losing Louisville would hurt the league's BCS profile. The Big East would have East and West Divisions in football.
But if Missouri remains in the Big 12, which seemed to be the way the wind was blowing, one source told The Post, the Big East might dodge the bullet one last time. It would then go to the TV negotiating table with a presence in some strong markets (New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore) with some programs that have big upsides (Central and South Florida, Cincinnati) and the tradition of Air Force and Navy.
The inclusion of Boise State, Air Force and Navy in football only would allow the league to determine how to split its TV revenue. The football only schools would likely get less than the full members.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/coll...big_east_U22xibwuFceRSIp0ZONh5O#ixzz1aglg9uhY