"(example 1) PE... at a conference level..." You make it sound easy. The membership must be unanimous and that means they must be willing to sign a long-term commitment to the conference and the PE partner. After the best ACC schools defect to the P2, there won't be enough value left to attract substantial PE. The surprise announcement in early Feb, could be Notre Dame revealing a solo PE deal. It preserves their independence. There aren't many other schools capable of getting an exclusive deal; perhaps Stanford, but for much less money. "(example 2)... )" The B1G will continue to grow as long as the media companies continue to make it profitable. They are building a transcontinental empire. They and their media partners want to gain a footprint in Florida, they will bid against The SEC for N. Carolina and Virginia, continue to grow the Western appendage, and, ideally, acquire a franchise in Texas, or not. They don't have a specific number in mind. At this point, it's irrelevant. The February announcement could be The MWC revealing news of a PE deal. It would give them enough cash to conclude expansion. The silence from The PAC might indicate another PE surprise, although that group has a rather precarious position in the "poaching lawsuit." Yormark is crazed for a PE deal, but he may have difficulty getting Utah to play along. The Utes have FSU Fever. They want out.