Zags to the Big East?

[JTG]

Some scuttlebutt on the 247 board and twitter that a BE/Zags announcement could come soon. I don't think it's a net plus for Fox, but maybe they consider it a matter of prestige. Way late games when teams are out West, and all the Zags games way early when they are East. Plus the travel expense, but who knows ? Maybe it works.

[Xville]

Hope this isn’t true. Let that stupid program die.

[STL_XUfan]

Some scuttlebutt on the 247 board and twitter that a BE/Zags announcement could come soon. I don't think it's a net plus for Fox, but maybe they consider it a matter of prestige. Way late games when teams are out West, and all the Zags games way early when they are East. Plus the travel expense, but who knows ? Maybe it works.

But you could do a 6:30, 9pm, and 11pm window for week day games on FS1.

I am all for it if Gonzaga wants to do it. It will suck for Gonzaga having to fly out here constantly, but that it their problem, and one they are willingly signing up for if they decide they want to join. For us it will be minimal disruption (1 trip out west in each sport) while adding a great brand.

So if they are ok with logistical headache, who are we to talk them out of it.

[GoMuskies]

That would be amazing. One of the top 10 programs in the country added to our already ridiculous league? Yes, please!

[Smails]

100% on board with this, if true.

[boozehound]

I'd be on board, but that would seem to be a crazy logistical hurdle for Gonzaga. This isn't football where there is 1 game a week for 12 weeks or whatever. That's a lot of travel for them, often with short turnaround.

[drudy23]

This is great for the conference - not so sure it's great for Gonzaga or their athletes.

What a brutal travel schedule for pretty much every sport. Is this just for basketball?

[xu82]

I'd be on board, but that would seem to be a crazy logistical hurdle for Gonzaga. This isn't football where there is 1 game a week for 12 weeks or whatever. That's a lot of travel for them, often with short turnaround.

This is why I’m skeptical, but I can see how they would appreciate the Big East, and they’d be a terrific get. That conference schedule would be a killer, but get you ready for the BIG DANCE. (Not the wee little dance we just won.)

[GoMuskies]

The Gonzaga board rumors have this involving some MWC teams as well. If that's the case, I change me stance to eww, no, gross. Granted, a Xavier game at UNLV every year wouldn't make me sad.....but I really don't want our nice Big East being invaded by MWC cretins.

[GoMuskies]

And Jeff Goodman says there's nothing to it.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1511803383807684612?s=20&t=IqtZRyEQEr29MwRwwz0oxA

[Masterofreality]

I hate every bit of this rumor

[xukeith]

I am not buying. That makes little sense why a team on west coast would fly 3 hours to play on east coast while 80% of viewing fans would be compromised.
logistics nightmare.
Now if Big East wanted to make a Big East -East and West split, I would understand that.

[MHettel]

I've been interested in this for 6-7 years at least.

As much as Gonzaga would provide additional value to the BE, it just doesnt seem possible, unless a handfull of teams are added and the BE essentially "builds" it's way West. You cant just have Gonzaga make 10 road trips across the country every year.

If you wanted to get to 2 divisions of 8 teams each, then you could add Gonzaga, St. Marys, SLU and 2 more teams west of teh mississppi. Maybe Witchita State and.....who knows.

I just cant happen. too much to overcome

[muskiefan82]

I've been interested in this for 6-7 years at least.

As much as Gonzaga would provide additional value to the BE, it just doesnt seem possible, unless a handfull of teams are added and the BE essentially "builds" it's way West. You cant just have Gonzaga make 10 road trips across the country every year.

If you wanted to get to 2 divisions of 8 teams each, then you could add Gonzaga, St. Marys, SLU and 2 more teams west of teh mississppi. Maybe Witchita State and.....who knows.

I just cant happen. too much to overcome
At that point, Gonzaga sounds just form their own league around them and st. Marys

[Xville]

Good.. glad it’s a bs rumor, f them. Hate everything about gonzaga joining this league.

[JTG]

I hate every bit of this rumor

MOR,
You'll be glad to know what I heard today. It is widely known in CBB media circles that Beaknose hates X as much as most X fans despise him. In fact they mention some X fans refer to him as Beaknose.

[GoMuskies]

I dislike Matta the least of our former coaches who are not our current coach (well, I don't count Gillen; who wouldn't love Pete?).

[xudash]

A few things to consider:

I. Primary Driver = Television Money

Any expansion would have to make sense for the media agreement. When the Fox deal was first put together for the "NBE", there was a great deal of uncertainty about the conference, coupled with (somewhat offset by) the fact that Fox desperately needed content for its sports channel. Nonetheless, the Big East has more than proven its value to Fox. The addition of UCONN to the conference has really amped the value of the conference up. For better or for worse, Gonzaga presents a unique opportunity to add to the value of the media agreement at the margin. Our media deal will get richer. The question is how much richer it will get. Obviously, any expansion has to work in such manner that the payout per school annually must exceed the present payout per member school. Does the leadership of the conference - Val, the Presidents and the AD's - see this as a power move or not.

II. Why Would Gonzaga Go For This?

The answer is simple: they represent a whale in a pond (WCC) that is about to become more shallow with BYU's departure. A weakened conference affiliation coupled with the loss of Few at any point could blow them back to oblivion, and I am not overstating that. They look at all this as Xavier looks at all this: a Catholic, Jesuit school that has been successful in utilizing a basketball program as its "front porch" to grow the BRAND. Xavier went from Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse and a losing culture to the Cintas Center, approximately a half billion dollars in capital improvements, an almost $300mm endowment and a national reputation through basketball. We're in the club now; we're in the Big East. Gonzaga has achieved enormous success through the WCC, but I wouldn't trade places with Gonzaga for anything at this point.

III. Could the Rumors/Chatter Be Real

I believe they are more likely to be true than false. The Gonzaga board clearly is intimating that something has come from an inner sanctum source. We'll see. The timing is interesting, but not surprising. Again, BYU leaving only weakens their competitive slate, as well as keeping in mind that USF's coach is now parked in Gainesville. Either way, it makes for an already interesting off-season.

- - - -

Notre Dame would be such a remarkable slam dunk for this, but that isn't happening. Their arrogance would probably wear on us after a while anyway.

[waggy]

Thad did an interview with an X blogger A year or so ago. I didn’t hear any animosity. EVERYONE knew his time at X was going to be short. Which is why Miller was named assoc. head coach from the get go.

[SkyWalker]

I'm against anything that destroys our double round robin!

[bjf123]

I'm against anything that destroys our double round robin!

^^^This!^^^ Let the Zags stay where they are.


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[xudash]

Post from the Boneyard:

hearing from a PC friend of a PC insider that FOX is driving this and Zags would be 1 of 3 new teams. two divisions of 7. idk who the others would be. assume 2 other west coast teams?

idk what to believe. all i know for sure is the danger of smoke inhalation is very high right now.

I'm dead serious: follow the money. If FOX is driving this - if that is true - then all this is very real.

I've heard UNLV as one of the other teams mentioned. Which team would be #3?

14 teams. Powerful conference. More money per school.

This is the world we live in now.

[GoMuskies]

SD State would be the other one. Only school in the MWC that would make sense. I love Gonzaga and hate the other two (in terms of being in conference), but, again, the idea of an annual trip to Vegas to see Xavier is pretty appealing. Lemons to lemonade and all that!

[waggy]

Vegas baby. Not awful

[waggy]

Sds and unlv both have football though

[xu82]

A few things to consider:


Notre Dame would be such a remarkable slam dunk for this, but that isn't happening. Their arrogance would probably wear on us after a while anyway.

Their arrogance is annoying me, and it hasn’t even happened.

[GoMuskies]

On travel, IF this is basketball only, Gonzaga would absolutely travel by private jet to every road game. Their travel to road games would be 100% easier than Xavier women's volleyball having to travel commercial to Omaha to play Creighton. Door to door I suspect Gonzaga basketball players get to St. John's two hours faster than Xavier's volleyball girls get to Creighton.

[xu82]

SD State would be the other one. Only school in the MWC that would make sense. I love Gonzaga and hate the other two (in terms of being in conference), but, again, the idea of an annual trip to Vegas to see Xavier is pretty appealing. Lemons to lemonade and all that!

The Vegas trip would be mandatory to prove your fanhood. I’ll back you on this one. You would have no choice!

[Xavgrad08]

I could see Fox wanting to expand for more content. If expansion happens it is because Fox wants it. Gonzaga would be awesome, but I am skeptical of this rumor. No credible media people have validated. Goodman seemed pretty confident that Gonzaga would not be joining the Big East at this time.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

How can Big East includes team(s) from the west coast? Need to change name?

[GoMuskies]

How can Big East includes team(s) from the west coast? Need to change name?

We're never changing the Big East name. That's one thing I'm certain of.

[xudash]

We're never changing the Big East name. That's one thing I'm certain of.

You get an “A” in Marketing 101!

[bjf123]

How can Big East includes team(s) from the west coast? Need to change name?

Uh, Big 10, Big 12?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JTG]

I dislike Matta the least of our former coaches who are not our current coach (well, I don't count Gillen; who wouldn't love Pete?).

Really? Prosser was a great guy, and Miller was and is a good guy. If you ever had any personal dealings with Matta you would think differently. He would blow people off, whereas Prosser Gillen and Miller were personable and took time with people.

[xu82]

You get an “A” in Marketing 101!

Despite rarely making an appearance!

…oh, you meant Go….never mind.

[GoMuskies]

Really? Prosser was a great guy, and Miller was and is a good guy. If you ever had any personal dealings with Matta you would think differently. He would blow people off, whereas Prosser Gillen and Miller were personable and took time with people.

I didn't count Prosser because, you know. Really just a race among Matta, Mack and Steele. Easy choice!

[JTG]

Matta and Mack were both douchebags the way they left, and both have shitty personalities.

[Xville]

Post from the Boneyard:

hearing from a PC friend of a PC insider that FOX is driving this and Zags would be 1 of 3 new teams. two divisions of 7. idk who the others would be. assume 2 other west coast teams?

idk what to believe. all i know for sure is the danger of smoke inhalation is very high right now.

I'm dead serious: follow the money. If FOX is driving this - if that is true - then all this is very real.

I've heard UNLV as one of the other teams mentioned. Which team would be #3?

14 teams. Powerful conference. More money per school.

This is the world we live in now.

To me, this would make everything that is awesome about the big East disappear. I hope none of this is true and fox can suck a big d if it is. Shop the conference tv rights around if so.

[noteggs]

Really? Prosser was a great guy, and Miller was and is a good guy. If you ever had any personal dealings with Matta you would think differently. He would blow people off, whereas Prosser Gillen and Miller were personable and took time with people.

This I agree with a 100%! I met him at X and OSU (didn’t blow me off, but was a complete asshole to others). Of course, maybe it was me after all? Nah.

[xu82]

This I agree with a 100%! I met him at X and OSU (didn’t blow me off, but was a complete asshole to others). Of course, maybe it was me after all? Nah.

I think it was your special charm. Maybe he had no time for the “little people”, but your presence won him over. I’m sticking with that!

[Masterofreality]

This is no brag, but…
Skip Prosser and Sean Miller are great personable guys as is Pete.
I ran into Skip at Cleveland Airport one time by chance. He was leaving town after a recruiting trip (James Posey I think) and I was coming back in from a trip with an X cap on. Skip immediately reached out his hand to shake and we talked for a good 5-10 minutes. Just the same great guy you’ve heard of.
I’ve met and talked with both Pete and Sean numerous times at Xavier functions, and they are as genuine as you could ask for and going back to Bob Staak was also a super guy. A bit intense , but a really good guy.
Xavier has been blessed with mostly great guys.

[JTG]

Not interested in association with UNLV, or SDSU, but especially UNLV. This would be leaning back to what ruined the original BE.

[paulxu]

4 out of the last 6 NC's have been won by teams from conferences who play a round robin.
There's really not a need for a big number of teams in a conference to skew the results to get more teams in the tourney.
Big 12 and Big East get good percentages of their total in. We each had 6 teams this year, more than the ACC.

I hope we stay with the round robin and leave Gonzaga on the west coast

[D-West & PO-Z]

But you could do a 6:30, 9pm, and 11pm window for week day games on FS1.

I am all for it if Gonzaga wants to do it. It will suck for Gonzaga having to fly out here constantly, but that it their problem, and one they are willingly signing up for if they decide they want to join. For us it will be minimal disruption (1 trip out west in each sport) while adding a great brand.

So if they are ok with logistical headache, who are we to talk them out of it.

Yeah, same.

It sounds like it was BS, at least for the time being, but if Gonzaga wants to take on that headache, let em in. It's a minimal burden on the other BE schools but a logistical nightmare for Gonzaga it seems.

If they did come the the BE we'd lose the Round Robin, which would kind of stink, but overall a net positive.

I would think they league would split to western and eastern divisions? Like Gonzaga, Butler, Marquette, DePaul, Creighton, and X in West and the others in the East. If you did a every team in division H/A and only one game against other division, that would only get you 16 conference games though. Not sure how they would deal with that. Maybe they wouldnt do divisions?

[MHettel]

4 out of the last 6 NC's have been won by teams from conferences who play a round robin.
There's really not a need for a big number of teams in a conference to skew the results to get more teams in the tourney.
Big 12 and Big East get good percentages of their total in. We each had 6 teams this year, more than the ACC.

I hope we stay with the round robin and leave Gonzaga on the west coast

Really? The round robin format causes a team to win a National Championship?

Maybe blue uniforms are more important that round robin conference formats.

You can LIKE the round robin. And you can want it to remain.

But it has nothing yo do with who wins the NC.

[basket]

"IF" the Zags were to come to the B.E I would hope that the B.E leaders would have enough foresight to add even MORE "west coast" schools along with the Zags. That way there would be "divisions" in the B.E. The B.E could add San Francisco Univ.as well as other "west coast" Jesuit schools! I only go for the addition of the Zags IF theres divisions if there isn't NO!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I'm the opposite. I'm only for the Zags if they're added by themselves, because none of the other names mentioned add a thing to the league.

[paulxu]

Really? The round robin format causes a team to win a National Championship?

Maybe blue uniforms are more important that round robin conference formats.

You can LIKE the round robin. And you can want it to remain.

But it has nothing yo do with who wins the NC.

I didn't indicate it "caused" a NC. I was using it as an indicator of conference size.
There have been a lot of arguments that larger conferences help to improve number of bids.
Playing a round robin is only an indication of conference size under the current limitation of 20 conference games.
Also...I do like the idea of playing everyone H/H during the season.

[atljar]

I cant remember the written source, but I remember Val Ackerman talking about expansion late last year or early this year. In short, they were talking about expansion by adding (1) unnamed team, and had no interest in expanding past that

[STL_XUfan]

I'm the opposite. I'm only for the Zags if they're added by themselves, because none of the other names mentioned add a thing to the league.

Gonzaga is the only name that makes sense at this point. Any expansion beyond that would do more harm than good.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Do you guys think if it was only Gonzaga that they would do a western and eastern division? I tend to think so, and that would help Gonzaga not have to visit every super far eastern team every year. Can't do 22 conference games. However, divisions would only create 16 conference games if it was done in a traditional way. I don't think the BE wants to go from 20 to 16 conference games. So do they do traditional and then rotate teams in the other division you play twice every year?

[STL_XUfan]

Do you guys think if it was only Gonzaga that they would do a western and eastern division? I tend to think so, and that would help Gonzaga not have to visit every super far eastern team every year. Can't do 22 conference games. However, divisions would only create 16 conference games if it was done in a traditional way. I don't think the BE wants to go from 20 to 16 conference games. So do they do traditional and then rotate teams in the other division you play twice every year?

Once you are on a plane, how much of a difference is Cincinnati and DC?

[GoMuskies]

Once you are on a plane, how much of a difference is Cincinnati and DC?

An hour. 2 round trip. Again, it's still easier than all the non-revenue sports already who have to fly commercial if they need to make a connection. Flying private changes the game. But if Gonzaga wants to bing along the non-revenue sports, then it gets pretty tough.

[paulxu]

Would their conference let them keep other sports in and take BB only to the BE?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Once you are on a plane, how much of a difference is Cincinnati and DC?

It isn't the amount of extra time its the amount of extra trips.

Even on a private plane, a Wednesday game @ St. Johns, followed by a Saturday game @ Seton Hall is tough for a program coming from that far west.

Again, it's their issue, not the BE's or the other BE teams.

Even still, you can't do a round robin, so divisions seem to make sense, I am just wondering what an alternative to that is. Do the other larger conferences all have divisions? If not, what do they do, anyone know?

[GoMuskies]

It isn't the amount of extra time its the amount of extra trips.

Even on a private plane, a Wednesday game @ St. Johns, followed by a Saturday game @ Seton Hall is tough for a program coming from that far west.



I'm not sure why that's so tough. The kids miss a lot of school, but the travel itself isn't too bad. You wouldn't go home in between those two.

[_LH]

I’m not a fan of adding Gonzaga and when the BE was 10 teams I was in favor of expansion for only 3 candidates:

UCONN, Notre Dane and Kansas

We got UCONN and I’m happy with 11 but I’d be fine going to 12 only if we can add in either Kansas or Notre Dame. Both are likely pipe dreams but that’s what they said about UCONN.

http://https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2021/8/23/22634149/kansas-jayhawks-big-12-realignment-big-east-college-basketball-college-football

[muskiefan82]

I thought I saw DePaul in the transfer portal looking to go out West. If that happens, then Gonzaga might fill in nicely... LOL

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm not sure why that's so tough. The kids miss a lot of school, but the travel itself isn't too bad. You wouldn't go home in between those two.

Ok so there it is, they wouldn't go home. That makes total sense for professional teams, I didn't know how routine that was for colleges. I bet not that routine but maybe I am wrong. What if it is a Tuesday/Saturday game? I get they miss a lot of school, so I am not trying to be pearl clutching about that, just seems tough.

But again, their problem. My bigger question is how they will schedule conference games. No matter what they decide divisions or not, every BE team can't play every BE team twice

[GoMuskies]

Again, on the travel, no one thinks twice about Bellarmine being in the Atlantic Sun. Literally, no one thinks twice about it, because they don't care! But seriously, I guarantee their baseball team is taking a bus to every road series.

Louisville to Gardner-Webb: 6 hours, 27 minutes
Louisville to SEMO: 4 hours, 22 minutes
Louisville to Presbyterian: 6 hours, 49 minutes
Louisville to Jacksonville State: 6 hours, 28 minutes
Louisville to Central Arkansas: 8 hours, 21 minutes
Louisville to North Alabama: 5 hours, 8 minutes

And those are all car times. With a bus, you know you are adding time.

Again, with the non-revenue sports aboard, it really doesn't work. But if you're only talking about flying the basketball teams around on chartered jets, the travel burden would not be at all outside the norm for colllege sports.

[GoMuskies]

Ok so there it is, they wouldn't go home. That makes total sense for professional teams, I didn't know how routine that was for colleges. I bet not that routine but maybe I am wrong. What if it is a Tuesday/Saturday game? I get they miss a lot of school, so I am not trying to be pearl clutching about that, just seems tough.

I think they'd schedule around it. Thursday/Sundays for them. And you can attend class online now, so it's not nearly as big an issue.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think they'd schedule around it. Thursday/Sundays for them. And you can attend class online now, so it's not nearly as big an issue.

The online thing is a good point. Hell, my youngest brother is still in college at OSU, they don't even take most exams in person anymore.

[paulxu]

. Do the other larger conferences all have divisions? If not, what do they do, anyone know?

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/standings

[MHettel]

I lobbed an idea out there a couple years ago that could have some legs....(have not heard it reported otherwise, however).

What if Fox could entice Notre Dame to come to the Big East with the promise that they will outbid NBC for the football rights when the time comes? ND already has the sweetheart deal with NBC for football. How big of a "property" would that be for FS1 and Fox? How much would they be willing to pay?

Bringing ND into the Fox "family" for basketball would be a big first step and show a serious intention to ND that they would be willing to overpay for Football rights.

That would change some things in the sense that adding a midwestern team will slightly shift the conference footprint a little further West. Again, add SLU, maybe Witchita State (no football, right?), St. Mary's and the Zags....

thats 16 teams. 2 divisions of 8 each. Play each division opponent twice (14 games) and other division 1 time each (8). Thats 22 games. So 22x16= 352 / 2= 176 total games. Thats ALOT of programming for FS1. Revise the schedule to how the Pac 12 does it and have road trips where you play on Thursday & Saturday, or Friday & Sunday. Maybe add in Monday & Wednesday trips as well. Suddenly there is Big East basketball on FS1 nearly everyday. There HAS to be some appetite for that from Fox.

And we may not love it. But we sure would love the extra money that comes with it (and the exposure).

I dont really think this WILL happen. But I think it COULD happen. There would be motivation for everyone involved, and thats often enough for things to get done...

[GoMuskies]

I don't think ND has much interest in being in a league with us. I suspect they have less than zero interest in being in a league with Wichita State, Saint Mary's and Saint Louis.

[bjf123]

If Fox Sports stays with the 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 tip offs, which really means 8:45 and 11:00, viewership will take a nose dive for everyone on the east coast when playing the Zags at 11:00. No thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[webxu]

Personally I would love to have the Zags if they can work it out. There is no denying they are one of the PREMIER programs in the country and have been on the cusp of multiple national titles so adding them increases our conference profile even further than it is now. as far as the other sports issues why would the BE not just add the basketball team and have Gonzaga's other sports remain the WCC?

[MHettel]

Personally I would love to have the Zags if they can work it out. There is no denying they are one of the PREMIER programs in the country and have been on the cusp of multiple national titles so adding them increases our conference profile even further than it is now. as far as the other sports issues why would the BE not just add the basketball team and have Gonzaga's other sports remain the WCC?

Tell me what motivation the WCC has to allow the Zags bbal team to leave, but other sports stay. The only leverage is to tell them that it’s all or nothing.

[MHettel]

I don't think ND has much interest in being in a league with us. I suspect they have less than zero interest in being in a league with Wichita State, Saint Mary's and Saint Louis.

But ND is interested in money, right? Like tons and tons of it.

[JTG]

I don't think ND has much interest in being in a league with us. I suspect they have less than zero interest in being in a league with Wichita State, Saint Mary's and Saint Louis.

This, except if the money from FOX for football was right I could see ND's interest. Every time this expansion stuff is brought up, people lob in turdballs like UNLV, Wichita St, St Marys, SDSU, SLU. And there is always some yoyo that wants VD involved. ND with football is a grand slam home run for Fox and a good deal for the BE, , Zags pretty good, but a logistic issue, but still a lesser Home Run. All the other teams, NO, just NO.

[UCGRAD4X]

I would love to get the Irish involved however their commitment to the ACC runs through like 2033. I'm not sure what any kind of buyout would be but I imagine it would be substantial. I would be thrilled for them to get out of that deal but I think the basketball involvement in the ACC is good enough for them to be willing to opt out of that contract.

[UCGRAD4X]

And hell to the no on the Zags.

[American X]

Forget this. Xavier is going to cockpunch Gonzaga and become America's team.

[paulxu]

In the Kunkel returning twitter thread, a guy said Timme at Gonzaga declared for the draft...and that was a big blow to the BE.

Guess some people think they've already joined.

[xudash]

Again, it is all about what benefits the media agreement. Which teams are accretive to the media agreement? That is job one.

Beyond that, if conference size becomes an issue in terms of competing with the SEC and Big Ten, in particular, that will be another factor in triggering expansion. Obviously, not about football, but about basketball. The slope gets a little more slippery if that becomes a driver that has to be addressed, yet the ideal teams are not available for that (i.e. Gonzaga, Notre Dame, etc.).

The next 2 to 3 years will be massive for the conference as we close in on the renegotiation of the media agreement in 2025.

[xuwillie]

How can Big East includes team(s) from the west coast? Need to change name?

Marquette, Creighton, X, Depaul and Butler aren't on the east coast.

[Masterofreality]

This is a dead thread discussion.
If there is expansion the only logical addition is Notre Dame

[Strange Brew]

This is a dead thread discussion.
If there is expansion the only logical addition is Notre Dame

Yes, BE for all sports but football.

[Masterofreality]

Yes, BE for all sports but football.

And they remain independent.

[JTG]

And they remain independent.

Mor,
The problem is they have a contract for 5 ACC football games each season. Now if the ACC were amenable to continuing that, a deal might be struck. Also does FOX want to top NBC. Otherwise ND is hunting for 5 opponents every year during conference season. And as far as the ACC is concerned bball wise ND adds zip.

[GoMuskies]

I think the ACC would be thrilled to dump ND's other sports and still get to keep the five football games.

[JTG]

I think the ACC would be thrilled to dump ND's other sports and still get to keep the five football games.

Ok then, we'll call FOX and tell them to hammer out a deal.

[xudash]

From HLOH by a Marquette fan - I believe this is spot on (maximizing value, conference positioning and sustainability):

Regardless of how realistic a Gonzaga addition may be for the Big East, it remains as clear as day that Val, the BE Presidents and our schools are committed to maximizing the league's value (and each of the member schools' value). Rumors of UConn's return to the Big East began as early as when the American formed; with each passing year, there continued to be reports and rumors of UConn and the Big East talking about another marriage. What that revealed is that even in discussions, relationships are being built and opportunities created. What I continue to see (between Gonzaga and the Big East) are two parties that prioritize men's basketball at the highest levels of college basketball and continue to seek ways of elevating their brand and placement within the sport's hierarchy. Both sides are very much viewed as "outsiders" and "outliers", as neither sponsor FBS P5 Football. In addition, Gonzaga being a Jesuit school (like Creighton, Georgetown, Marquette and Xavier), there is already a built-in peer network where those schools work together.

I do think talks have occurred between Gonzaga and the Big East; both sides would be foolish not to at least consider it (and determine what value Fox, or other networks, would place on the league's rights). Ultimately, I think the only way a potential marriage works is for both sides to get approval by the NCAA (which is likely a formality, since the NCAA is lacking true oversight and administration at the moment) to have Gonzaga join the Big East as a Men's Basketball-Only member (maybe include the Women's side as well, but even that is stretching it). Gonzaga would need to receive approval to park all of its remaining sports in the West Coast Conference, which I would not foresee a problem due to the lack of call-ups the WCC could legitimately consider (other than Seattle and Grand Canyon, there just aren't many Private West Coast programs available anymore).

As much as some here may get frustrated by the very idea of it, but I can guarantee that evaluations are being made about what the Big East's value is with other programs being added as well (like a SLU, a Dayton, a VCU, etc.). That doesn't mean that any are likely to be added, but all options should continue to remain on the table in terms of increasing value for the league and each of the teams. Nearly a decade into this incarnation of the Big East, the bar has been set; it remains a consistent major college basketball conference, capable of sending a majority of the league to the tournament annually (with a select number playing into the second weekend or beyond), proven to compete and be successful against the other major conferences, demonstrating strong fan support and remaining hosting the best conference tournament in the country. With the coaching hires this cycle, and the coaches that have been attempted to be poached before, the league has tremendously successful and proven coaches top-to-down. It is showing no signs of slowing down and will only continue to grow.

If it is determined that Gonzaga Men's Basketball can be allowed to join the Big East, and the value offered by Fox is appropriate, the league will jump all over it. I still think there's much work to be done regarding a conclusion, but - geography discarded - it is very much possible if the stars align. Just as it was prior to UConn returning, the Big East continues to function from a position of power, not needing to be reactionary. If it makes sense for both sides, we will see the Zags in the Big East; if it doesn't then the Big East will remain strong.

[Masterofreality]

I just don’t see how you can “discard geography”.

[xukeith]

This Gonzaga talk is a reach but I only seeing it as a possibility if BE expands.

Perhaps one day BE changes the league to a bigger basketball only conference with maybe 5-6 more Mountain/Pacific time zone friendly schools.

Maybe the SEC and B10 (or B12) unite then BE and 7 other schools form another BE West wing .

Hard to imagine but it is the only possibility that makes sense to me. Someone is writing up a proposal and selling AD on lucrative contracts.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I see almost a 0% chance of the WCC letting Gonzaga basketball walk while letting them remain in conference for all the other sports. Why would they do that? It is their only leverage.

[MHettel]

From HLOH by a Marquette fan - I believe this is spot on (maximizing value, conference positioning and sustainability):

Regardless of how realistic a Gonzaga addition may be for the Big East, it remains as clear as day that Val, the BE Presidents and our schools are committed to maximizing the league's value (and each of the member schools' value). Rumors of UConn's return to the Big East began as early as when the American formed; with each passing year, there continued to be reports and rumors of UConn and the Big East talking about another marriage. What that revealed is that even in discussions, relationships are being built and opportunities created. What I continue to see (between Gonzaga and the Big East) are two parties that prioritize men's basketball at the highest levels of college basketball and continue to seek ways of elevating their brand and placement within the sport's hierarchy. Both sides are very much viewed as "outsiders" and "outliers", as neither sponsor FBS P5 Football. In addition, Gonzaga being a Jesuit school (like Creighton, Georgetown, Marquette and Xavier), there is already a built-in peer network where those schools work together.

I do think talks have occurred between Gonzaga and the Big East; both sides would be foolish not to at least consider it (and determine what value Fox, or other networks, would place on the league's rights). Ultimately, I think the only way a potential marriage works is for both sides to get approval by the NCAA (which is likely a formality, since the NCAA is lacking true oversight and administration at the moment) to have Gonzaga join the Big East as a Men's Basketball-Only member (maybe include the Women's side as well, but even that is stretching it). Gonzaga would need to receive approval to park all of its remaining sports in the West Coast Conference, which I would not foresee a problem due to the lack of call-ups the WCC could legitimately consider (other than Seattle and Grand Canyon, there just aren't many Private West Coast programs available anymore).

As much as some here may get frustrated by the very idea of it, but I can guarantee that evaluations are being made about what the Big East's value is with other programs being added as well (like a SLU, a Dayton, a VCU, etc.). That doesn't mean that any are likely to be added, but all options should continue to remain on the table in terms of increasing value for the league and each of the teams. Nearly a decade into this incarnation of the Big East, the bar has been set; it remains a consistent major college basketball conference, capable of sending a majority of the league to the tournament annually (with a select number playing into the second weekend or beyond), proven to compete and be successful against the other major conferences, demonstrating strong fan support and remaining hosting the best conference tournament in the country. With the coaching hires this cycle, and the coaches that have been attempted to be poached before, the league has tremendously successful and proven coaches top-to-down. It is showing no signs of slowing down and will only continue to grow.

If it is determined that Gonzaga Men's Basketball can be allowed to join the Big East, and the value offered by Fox is appropriate, the league will jump all over it. I still think there's much work to be done regarding a conclusion, but - geography discarded - it is very much possible if the stars align. Just as it was prior to UConn returning, the Big East continues to function from a position of power, not needing to be reactionary. If it makes sense for both sides, we will see the Zags in the Big East; if it doesn't then the Big East will remain strong.

This was like 1000 words to say that there might be mutual interest, and they could do it.

[JTG]

Hey, Dash is a wordsmith, leave him be. It's always interesting.

[MHettel]

Hey, Dash is a wordsmith, leave him be. It's always interesting.

It’s not even him though! He quoted someone!

[xudash]

It’s not even him though! He quoted someone!

I dictated it to the Marquette guy.

No, that’s not true. I can’t back that up.

[xudash]

This was like 1000 words to say that there might be mutual interest, and they could do it.

Actually, while I do not doubt that eventual outcome, to me it’s more about his first sentence:

“ Regardless of how realistic a Gonzaga addition may be for the Big East, it remains as clear as day that Val, the BE Presidents and our schools are committed to maximizing the league's value (and each of the member schools' value).”

That’s the ball game. Now, if it is true that we might possibly end up at a payout per school of $8 million per year with the 11 schools we have now, then that by itself will significantly reduce the size of the potential new schools list.

[SCMuskie]

The biggest issue here is that Notre Dame likes the NBC deal because it ensures they are the ONLY college football game on that channel every Saturday. By going to FOX they would lose that exclusivity.

[nuts4xu]

This Gonzaga talk is a reach but I only seeing it as a possibility if BE expands..

Agreed. Gonzaga won't join the league if the Big East doesn't add at least one team. It is literally impossible.

[Masterofreality]

The biggest issue here is that Notre Dame likes the NBC deal because it ensures they are the ONLY college football game on that channel every Saturday. By going to FOX they would lose that exclusivity.

I don’t think that would be an issue that couldn’t be worked around. The Big East does not have football at all so the Fox contract is basketball focused. NBC carries zero ND basketball games. Only football focused.
When UConn joined there was a special TV provision that allowed SNY in New York to still be the primary carrier of UConn Women’s Basketball.
TV would not be an issue. Though I’m sure Fox would make a bid when the NBC contract runs out.

[UCGRAD4X]

Unless I am mistaken (as if) the ND contract with NBC expires next year. Not sure if that means after 2022 season or after 2023 - probably the latter.