Thinking about realignment a little this morning. 2024 is believed to be the next year for realignment, which somehow is only 5 years away. I am wondering how the conferences will be different.
The last line of realignment was about increasing network TV sets, as well as academic prestige, demographics and adding competitive football programs when possible. A lot of what I've read suggests this one will be more about intriguing TV matchups rather than geographic ones (the kind of idea that got Rutgers in the Big Ten).
The lay of the land currently as I see it: the Pac 12's TV network is, so far, a bust, but geography does protect them somewhat.
The Big 12 doesn't have a network, although Texas has their own. Oklahoma has dropped a lot of hints about seeing the Big Ten as a peer, although that was under Dave Boren, who is no longer president. Still, the league is making a lot of money, so leaving for the Pac-12 currently seems a little unrealistic.
The Big Ten and SEC print money. The SEC has no Grant of Rights as far as I recall, but I don't see anyone leaving the conference.
The ACC has a new network launching, but most importantly extended their Grant of Rights until the 2030s, protects protecting the league from poaching. Pitt has... a stable home?
My thoughts are that this all really depends on Notre Dame and the Big 12. If Notre Dame wants to join the ACC, they're in, and their contract with the league (also extended to the 2030s) states that if they join any conference, it has to be the ACC. Notre Dame can pretty much pick who they join with- they've got that kind of pull. Texas would be the dream addition for ESPN, but WVU would make an ideal division for Pitt.
If Oklahoma wants to join the Big Ten, the league would probably be able to pull anyone short of Texas with them. Kansas fits their usual profile, but WVU could be a wildcard if they don't want to have academic standards anymore. Also- if Missouri would listen, a 4 team addition to go to 18 would be workable and even include OU's little brother- Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State.
If Texas wants the ACC or the Big Ten, they can probably have either. Of course, they kind of have a great thing going. I wouldn't be surprised to see them remain in the Big 12 as the only marquee program, even if Oklahoma leaves.
If Texas and Oklahoma leave, the SEC and Pac-12 could pick who they'd want of the survivors. Alternatively, the remaining Big 12- depending on who's left- could backfill with the MWC, AAC, or BYU and try to remain a power conference. It worked for the Big East for awhile...
The last line of realignment was about increasing network TV sets, as well as academic prestige, demographics and adding competitive football programs when possible. A lot of what I've read suggests this one will be more about intriguing TV matchups rather than geographic ones (the kind of idea that got Rutgers in the Big Ten).
The lay of the land currently as I see it: the Pac 12's TV network is, so far, a bust, but geography does protect them somewhat.
The Big 12 doesn't have a network, although Texas has their own. Oklahoma has dropped a lot of hints about seeing the Big Ten as a peer, although that was under Dave Boren, who is no longer president. Still, the league is making a lot of money, so leaving for the Pac-12 currently seems a little unrealistic.
The Big Ten and SEC print money. The SEC has no Grant of Rights as far as I recall, but I don't see anyone leaving the conference.
The ACC has a new network launching, but most importantly extended their Grant of Rights until the 2030s, protects protecting the league from poaching. Pitt has... a stable home?
My thoughts are that this all really depends on Notre Dame and the Big 12. If Notre Dame wants to join the ACC, they're in, and their contract with the league (also extended to the 2030s) states that if they join any conference, it has to be the ACC. Notre Dame can pretty much pick who they join with- they've got that kind of pull. Texas would be the dream addition for ESPN, but WVU would make an ideal division for Pitt.
If Oklahoma wants to join the Big Ten, the league would probably be able to pull anyone short of Texas with them. Kansas fits their usual profile, but WVU could be a wildcard if they don't want to have academic standards anymore. Also- if Missouri would listen, a 4 team addition to go to 18 would be workable and even include OU's little brother- Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State.
If Texas wants the ACC or the Big Ten, they can probably have either. Of course, they kind of have a great thing going. I wouldn't be surprised to see them remain in the Big 12 as the only marquee program, even if Oklahoma leaves.
If Texas and Oklahoma leave, the SEC and Pac-12 could pick who they'd want of the survivors. Alternatively, the remaining Big 12- depending on who's left- could backfill with the MWC, AAC, or BYU and try to remain a power conference. It worked for the Big East for awhile...
