How is this for a wild conspiracy theory
Taking Finebaum's stupidity a step further, what if the SEC is thinking "we need to get the Virginia market under our belt". And their best play to lock up the state is to take an inferior UVA because they know the B1G won't take VT. That would pretty much lock up the state for the SEC. Knowing that the other side of the coin is if the SEC took VT, the B1G would jump in and take UVA as a defensive play.
Believable? Or does the need for more and more revenue prevent them from taking a UVA knowing that they bring almost no TV viewership (net value) to the table.
36 Replies
M
Marooned
1y
for some bizarre reason, I think the B1G gives us a life preserver, since they’re probably already going to pick up UM.
(In response to this post by ArmelHokie)
2
2hhoop3
1y
because that strategy is more playing defense, an uncertain defense at that, as opposed to putting together the strongest conference product alternative. It also banks on the B1G and their nonaction.
(In response to this post by ArmelHokie)
UNC, UVa and the P2.
BTW, you are on to something. Not a wild conspiracy theory at all.
Some questions.
Let's just say for the case of argument that the B1G would not take VT. Here's my questions.
1) Would the B1G take UVa even if the SEC landed UNC?
2) Would UVa be willing to separate themselves from UNC if they could be guaranteed to play them in the OOC?
3) Would UVa be willing to go to the B1G rather than the SEC just to do VT a solid?
4) Would the SEC actually prefer VT to UVa, but currently feel that UVa and UNC are a pair and that they'd have to take UVa if they want UNC?
Side note: I think the B1G would be foolish to not even consider VT if they were willing to take UVa. VT's academic profile is better than some B1G schools. And they wouldn't need visiting fans to fill our stadium.
(In response to this post by ArmelHokie)
1y
tell you the Legislature has made it known that UNC and NCSU are the twins and one goes nowhere without the other leaving at the same time. North Carolina and NCSU alumni and supporters could care less about UVa. This moronic idea was planted by the usual crap "journalists" who spew drivel about "which college will go where". The only program that would even be considered for addition by the BIG and SEC is Notre Dame, and that ship will not sail!!
If you were receiving $90-100 million in TV revenue per team, would you add more schools to split the pie?
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
Certain officials in NC said that UNC and NCSU are tied.
My interpretation is both go P2 or none.
And now the talking heads are just ignoring that inconvenient reality because it gets in the way of their unfounded plans for realignment. Or, they give tacit attention to it by scheming that UNC and the SEC (or B1G) can just pay NC State "Calimony". The whole system is trying to big time the state of NC.
I hope you are right and NC sticks to its guns.
Although I didn't mention NC State in my post, I haven't forgotten the news reports about UNC and NCSU being connected. Nor have I heard any reports to the contrary since then.
** Edited by Maroon Baboon at 3/15/2025, 1:07:13 AM
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
P
pine52x
1y
FWIW. Which ones? Opinions on this subject interest me. TIA. (Please don't use the USN&WR data. Not certain it is that reliable.)
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
V
VTCALS72
1y
This is not about academic standing nor really best from a wins and losses standpoint. It appears to be the largest endowments and the perceived largest number of eyeballs.
(In response to this post by pine52x)
Acceptance rates for one.
Also, while I think we might only be ahead of Oregon in research dollars. We are right there with some other Big Ten schools like Iowa. Bottom line is, VT wouldn't be some sort of academic outcast in the Big Ten IMO.
** Edited by Maroon Baboon at 3/14/2025, 9:38:21 PM
(In response to this post by pine52x)
1y
potential impact it will have on research, it could get very interesting to see what that means for universities going forward. An unfortunate byproduct is it could make it easier for schools like VT to become academic outcasts in a conference because there is less research money to go around. Also, it could lead to more uncertainty on what that means for conferences that perceptually place a higher value on academics. It may even force some smaller schools to drop down to a lower division, discontinue their entire athletic program, or close. I'm not thinking about the impact at the NCAA DI level, but also NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA DI, NAIA DII, JUCO, and community colleges because they weren't prepared for this sudden shift.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
1y
Virginia. That leaves 2 conferences for 2 schools. Or maybe 1 conference with 2 VA schools. UVA and VT are the only true options here.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
V
VTCALS72
1y
A part of UNC going to the SEC is to be the "home" team for 757, Greater Richmond and the southside. And Tenn is already a big player in the southwest so all that is left is the DMV and the Big has MD there.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
UNC is not a home team for 757, give me a break. Most Virginians would want to pull for a team in Virginia. At least according to what I see on homes vehicles especially in Richmond and NOCA. MD does nothing in DC, VT has tons of alum there and north of Abingdon, wtf does UT do in Virginia.
Foolishness.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
V
VTCALS72
1y
Dean Smith took a bunch too. Look at a map, Chapel Hill is closer than Blacksburg. For years before Frank Beamer, UNC got more lines of ink in Richmond and Roanoke than VT did. Probably in 757 too but I never read a paper from that area so I can't say.
And remember one other thing, it is what big media can do with UNC and UT without VT being an equal.
** Edited by VTCALS72 at 3/14/2025, 8:45:39 PM
(In response to this post by cvillehokie92)
1y
NOVA as I do VT and UVA alumni/fans. Heck if you patrolled I-81 South on Saturday when Tenn has a home game, then you should notice a significant influx of traffic because of all the people headed to Knoxville. Given that we live in a mobile society and the current trend is that more people are moving from the North to the South, don't be surprise if VT and UVA don't have the same level of dominance within the Commonwealth as what you think currently exists.
(In response to this post by cvillehokie92)
1y
in general polls are only as good as how someone collects the data. If people choose to not participate in a data collecting exercise, then a piece of the puzzle may be missing and people may not realize it. Also, assumptions could be made which may or may not be a fallacy. For example, an assumption could be made that a person is a fan of whatever school he/she graduated from. That may or may not be true even before you start to factor in the possibility that a person could have degrees from multiple schools.
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
T
TDVick
1y
That was the big game changer that turned previous thought process about expansion on its head. I originally thought, VT needs to part of the next tranche, but the viability of addition candidates turned worse once Texas was added and that cohort shrunk. It makes me wonder if any teams other than FSU and UNC are desired, now that the baseline revenue bar has been set so high.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
see FSU or Clemson as any sort of prize at all. Miami may be more valuable than FSU. Clemson brings nothing valuable to the table. Anybody else would just get scooped up as part of a great collapse.
(In response to this post by TDVick)
1y
The SEC doesn't need them either. And none of the VA/NC schools are worth a full share of revenue at this point.
** Edited by HokieNoVA at 3/13/2025, 9:25:02 AM
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
This is pretty common knowledge at this point. The state of Virginia is definitely a target for both. Both Sankey and Warren have implied as much. I don't think FSU or Clemson necessarily are needed for either but everyone assumes they are next for some reason.
(In response to this post by HokieNoVA)
1y
If they wanted to, why haven't they? They've had plenty of opportunities to do so and never have.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
State fans and alumni on every corner. The BIG would get good ratings and attendance in that neck of the woods. I don't know how many donors hail from that part of the country, but it's important.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1y
There were plenty of reports of them going after UVA and GT before the GOR was revised. M Maryland was in a dire financial situation when they left and the BIG was able to show them financial projections that were pretty accurate.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1y
Small enrollment. Tiny, mostly apathetic fan base. They deliver no TV market. There is no reason on earth for the Big Ten to even consider them. GT I could almost see. But many of the reasons not to consider UVA apply to GT.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
UNC & UVA. They were also very interested in GT at the time. UMD wasn’t the goal, UNC and UVA were.
At the time the money gap wasn’t nearly as wide and UNC & UVA told them thanks but no thanks.
It was a different time when getting the B1G network on the first tier cable package (driving revenue) was a big goal.
UVA brings a lot more than athletics to the table as eye candy for the presidents that run the school. However much better Tech’s football team has been over the past 25 years doesn’t overcome all the other sports along with the non sports related stuff. At the end of the day neither school has been nationally relevant in football in over 15 years.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1y
live content on BTN.
(In response to this post by Brother Griswold)
1y
Adds more $/team for either league. Both leagues are good on football - I don’t know that anyone left moves the needle - so any further expansion will likely be driven by other factors.
So much has changed since the last round of expansion and things will continue to change.
I do believe that it is important to look at things from the perspective of an outsider.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1y
The best academic school that plays big time sports was passed up last round. UVA isn’t on the same level as Stanford so I do not anticipate a different outcome for them.
(In response to this post by Brother Griswold)
1y
And no they don't deliver the DC market. There is a reason DC sportstalk radio carries the Hokies and not the Terps.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1y
they wanted from subscribers. Maryland paid off plenty. They never had to win a game or actually get any TV numbers in DC.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
Taking this further, let's say the SEC somehow gets UNC without having to
take NC State. I wonder if the B1G would want to take a North Carolina school. And if they do, would they take Duke?
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
1y
I have also heard rumors of Georgia Tech. I have never heard of any interest in any NC schools other than UNC. I have actually heard negative responses from them in regards to adding FSU or Clemson after the lawsuits.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
I know they tried in the past to get UVa in the past (when they took UMd),
but what about in 2025 and beyond? Not sure the rubric hasn't changed.
UVa to the Big Ten as a stand alone candidate? I'm not sure.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
O
obguthr
1y
I think they are in worse position than us. Being small in this day and age is a real impediment. Football viewership is low and political forces are against them. Their best asset basketball, has a strange symbiotic relationship with UNC-ch. If they are split in different conferences, the rivalry may grow moss.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)