Will Arizona pull the trigger and move to the Big 12?
Today Jason Scheer of 247sports.com, who covers Arizona on a daily basis, said in a radio interview that Arizona would be willing to move to the Big 12 if the income difference between the two conferences produced at least $5 to $7 million more income than what they're going to get by remaining in the Pac-12 and hopefully $10 million more. Last night on the Internet I listened to the Statewide Sportsline hosted by the Voice of the Mountaineers, Tony Caridi, who said in emphatic terms that the bare minimum for a school to switch conferences, and it make financial logical sense, was nothing less than $20 million per school per year! Obviously there's a huge difference between what Scheer thinks and what Caridi thinks the difference needs to be in income before a school will jump conferences. Personally, I always thought the bare minimum for switching conferences was about $10 to 15 million per school per year. It costs the school jumping conferences tens of millions of dollars in exit fees to get out of their old conference and entry fees to get into their new conference knowing they absolutely have to get that money back and get it back as quickly as they possibly can for it to make any sense to move it all. If Caridi is right, and it's $20 million, then it appears we're headed for a realignment stalemate or Mexican standoff because I don't believe the ACC, the Big 12, or the PAC 12 could ever be that much more profitable than the other two conferences. What do you guys think is the minimum amount of additional money a school must earn from their new conference before the move makes financial sense and why? Let's assume in this case the Big 12 will not reduce or waive their entry fee. I'm really looking forward to your responses!
** Edited by LoveSports at 8/10/2022, 9:42:29 PM
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5 Replies
3y
But $20M seems a bit high. If that is the case then the only conferences that will ever expand are the SEC and B1G. The three other conferences will be near the same level that it won't be cost effective to jump from one to the other. It sure seems there is a lot of smoke between Arizona and the Big 12. That basketball league would be incredible.
(In response to this post by LoveSports)
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hokieZ71
3y
Tucson -> TX/OK/KS is probably better than OR/WA and about even with Utah/Northern Cal
Could be Yormark trying to put a bug in the ear of Utah/Colorado and Arizona State if they are hesitant to leave the Pac 12.
However, given what we now know about conference realignment and how hush hush it all needs to be to work correctly, I'm assuming this could also be a ploy by Arizona to leverage the Pac 12 into making San Diego State/FresnoSt/UNLV additions and try and make sure it gets the $$ it wants in the next media rights deal.
(In response to this post by LoveSports)
3y
My question is..... What do you guys think is the minimum amount of additional money a school must earn from their new conference before the move makes financial sense and why?
** Edited by LoveSports at 8/10/2022, 10:15:05 PM
(In response to this post by hokieZ71)
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WarHog38
3y
I vividly remember the Razorbacks move to the SEC. Frank Broyles was hailed as a visionary within this state for cementing a stable future for the Razorback's sports programs. I don't remember future increased cash payouts being ever specifically discussed back then.
I think that stable future is still true to at least some extent in these conference expansions. In that context and with the B1G probably poised not to ever leave UCLA & USC alone on that west coast island. That the yearly $10 Million would be sufficient. If the Pac is further raided and the ACC is ultimately riddled as well. The Big 12 although now presently weaker would then become the far more stable landing spot for schools not getting a P2 invite. The Pac rejects would face a Mountain West ending & the ACC rejects would face a Big East basketball ending. The Big 12 would be the 3rd best football conference going into future.
(In response to this post by LoveSports)
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hokieZ71
3y
Arizona would need to earn way more in the ACC than the Big XII would have to offer them because of the distance. Colorado might not have to earn as much money in the Big XII than Arizona would have to earn in the Big XII because they would be closer to the center of the Big XII. Washington would need more than both Colorado and Arizona would.
It stinks we know all of this is coming but we have to wait 6-12 years for it to happen. I've no delusions anymore of VT winning a national championship in football. We had our window from 1999-2010 and did great but came up short. At this point, I'd like to be matched up with solid opponents that are fits for us and have a shot at the playoff if we can put it all together. And if we somehow sneak into a big conference, great. But it'd be nice to know and get it done with.
(In response to this post by LoveSports)