Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Who's The Devil in The Room - Conference Realignment.

The University of Texas is the obvious answer.   They are the "Johnny" from Karate Kid, and ever other good versus evil movie.   This isn't the first time they have broken up a conference.   They were also responsible for the deterioration of The Southwestern Conference, in 1996, and inevitable demise of The Big 12.    The University of Texas has the biggest athletic budget in the College Football, and the only thing bigger and more ugly in Texas is the Texas size ego and arrogance that goes along with being a Longhorn fan.   

There is also Greg Sankey, the Commissioner of the SEC (Southeastern Conference).   Sankey sat on the Expansion Committee, all while knowing his conference was in covert discussions with Oklahoma and Texas.   Sankey knew this would favorably benefit his conference and his member schools.  The SEC becomes the ultimate Big Kid on The Block and all the TV revenue that comes with it. 

But the Biggest Jack in the Box of all is ESPN.   It is rumored that ESPN brokered the discussion between OU, Texas, and The SEC.  ESPN currently owns the TV rights to the SEC and The College Football playoff.  After OU and Texas leave The Big 12, the plan was to offer up the remaining 8 schools to The American Athletic Conference, which ESPN also owns the TV rights for The AAC.  Which all sounds good except, The Big 12 currently distributed $38.5 million per school and The AAC distributed $7.47 million per member school.   The expanded playoff proposal has been valued at $1 Billion.   So, where do think ESPN's motivation comes from.   It certainly isn't for the greater good of College Football.     What happens if ESPN decides to pay an exit for a college like, oh let's say Clemson, Florida State, etc., to allow them to move to the SEC and the Supreme Super Conference ???

#conference Realignment #collegefootball #big12 #NCAAFootball

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