ISU Commissioner - Back From Hiatus. Conference Realignment Again.

 

I'm Back 

I'm sure by now you have heard the news about Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12 Conference.  I have to say it has been a consuming soap opera for me.   This story has more wrinkles than Grandma coming out of the tub after a long soak.  Therefore, I had to come out of hiatus, as Commissioner to share a few of my thoughts on the subject.                                                                                                                  I'm an Iowa State Homer, but I try to be objective with this conference realignment issue.   My current position is there are many more middle class schools outside of The Big 12 that should be just as worried.

. We aren't the only schools worried about OU and UT to the SEC

  Let me share some numbers.   Based on a report from USA Today 2018-2019 budget year.   (I choose this report because it was the first one that popped up in my Google Search, and most current I found.   https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Based on Athletic Budgets The SEC currently has 5 of the Top 10 Revenue producing Schools - 50%.   The Big Ten has 3, and currently The Big 12 has 2.   When OU and Texas leave for the SEC that raises The SEC to 7 out of the Top 10 and 12 out of the Top 20 - 60%.   The SEC Conference will expand to 16 teams, which means 75%, 12 of the 16 SEC member schools are in the Top 20 in Athletic Budgets.   Do you think  any of the other conferences are concerned?   The Big Ten will have 6 out of the Top 20 - 30%,  half of what the SEC will have.   The ACC has: One, 1, Uno, in the Top 20 and the name is not Clemson.  We can credit Florida State.   The PAC 12 has no one in the Top 20.   Do you think there is a revenue gap, between schools and conferences?  There is real fear of a Super League led by The SEC.  Who could be the next school to get wooed? 

This report doesn't include private schools such as Notre Dame, USC (So. Cal), Baylor, Northwestern, and TCU.      

Power 5 Conference Payouts: 

1. The Big Ten Paid out $55.6 million per school * Rutgers and Maryland received less    
2. The SEC Paid out $45.5 million per school
3. The Big 12 Paid out $38.2 million 
4. The ACC Paid out $34 million per school   
5. The PAC 12 Paid out 32.2 million per school 

The Big Ten is going from the Number 1 revenue producing conference to now Number 2. The new SEC/ESPN TV contract for 2025 is estimated to be worth $68-$70 Million per school.  That is over a $20 million more per school in The SEC over the Big Ten.  The PAC 12 and the ACC will be receiving nearly 50% less than SEC Member School.   So, this week The Big Ten announced an alliance with the PAC 12, and the ACC.   This announcement is not great for  The Big 12.  However, I think it signals the fear the other conferences have of the SEC and a Football Monopoly.   This alliance will address voting over rules governance, playoff expansion, and allow for flexible scheduling within the 3 alliance partners.   Putting higher profile games on TV weekly, that could bolster TV Ratings for BIG 10, ACC, and PAC 12. 

I've included an Interview with Bob Stoops, Former OU Head Football Coach.  I think he extremely forthright in his explanation of why OU is making the move to SEC.  His best line is at the 10:45 mark.  His justification and explanation is hard to argue.