Conference Realignment

[ChooChooCat]

The Pac-12 needs to differentiate itself by partnering with the one streaming partner nobody watches.

“It’s just so crazy that it just might work!”

- Morons

"It's a risk that we just have to take!"

-AzCatFan2

[UAEebs86]

Has anybody used the term "shit show" yet?

For this thread? Definitely

[AzCatFan2]

The BIG12 without Texas and OU is a conference of also-rans. It will always be third fiddle at best, and the gap between the SEC, B1G, and the BIG12 will continue to grow. Conferences need cash cows/marquee programs. Who is the BIG12 cash cow?

If we join the BIG12, we'll be in the exact same position we are in today; only without a USC/UCLA or Texas/OU. That's not better. The difference would be our tier 3 games would be on ESPN+ instead of the PAC12 Network. If this is the best we can do, so bet it. But we're not at that point yet.

Take the top programs not in the SEC or B1G right now, and you get, in no particular order, Notre Dame, Clemson, FSU, Miami, UNC, Oregon, Washington, and Stanford. The best BIG12 programs, like OK State and Kansas, might not even be in the top 10 of this list, because Utah, Colorado, and ASU are likely more valuable.

And yes, going it alone with the PAC12 Network was a failure. But that shouldn't mean we should never take a risk again. The B1G may never expand again. ESPN will continue to lose subs as more people cut cords. The ACC will need to find a way to increase their revenues long before their GOR contract expires, which is easier said than done. Still a ton of moving parts, potential outcomes, and pieces to fall.

Ok so.....your argument is Arizona should remain in a conference that's currently fifth fiddle whose sole expansion options are SDSU and SMU? Oregon and Washington are major cash cows though, I mean look at how many television networks just want to throw money at them just to play Arizona and California. The Pac-12 is knocking TV networks away!

You're literally posting gobbledegoop. Arizona isn't getting a B1G invite, it isn't getting a SEC invite, so the point is to remain in a conference that will lose Oregon and Washington (nobody cares about Stanford except academics) in a handful of years, and that is going to benefit Arizona how exactly? By leaving them in a conference with SMU, SDSU, and more MWC schools?

Every post you make is an abject failure void of logic and reasoning. You are the living embodiment of the Pac-12.

You have a crystal ball? You know exactly what the TV contract will be, and know for sure the PAC will fall behind both the ACC and BIG12? I don't. And no guarantee that we'll be 5th fiddle when the contract is presented.

There is also no guarantee that Oregon and Washington are going to be B1G members in the future. What we do know is the B1G won't take the next shot. If the PAC crumbles by the 4-corner schools leaving, the B1G will pick up the remaining pieces it wants, and likely at a discount. If the corner schools stay, then Oregon and UW have no where better to go, and the PAC survives.

The BIG12 without any cash cow schools is a guaranteed 3rd fiddle at best. And would be a 4th fiddle if in the future, the ACC and PAC decide to merge. A conference with FSU, Clemson, Miami, UNC, Oregon, Washington, and Stanford would be a formidable conference, and better than the BIG12 will have to offer going forward. We also know the ACC needs a way to find more revenue, but that's also unlikely to happen right now.

If we go BIG12 now, that's it. That's likely where we stay for a long, long time. The also-ran conference made up of P5 schools not good enough to make it into the big 2. When the time is right, the B1G will take Oregon, Washington, CAL, and Stanford, and the B1G and SEC will divide up the ACC schools that have value. Everyone else might seek a safe space in the BIG12, with us. A true P5 also-ran conference that includes Washington State and Boston College. Who doesn't want that?

Or, we can be patient, and potentially forward thinking and stay in the PAC. There's nothing stopping the BIG12 from expanding today. But their reality? They just added four G5 schools, and they don't want to add more. That's why SDSU is off the table for the BIG12 right now. So is Gonzaga, even as basketball only. The 4-corner schools, all P5, and more valuable to the BIG12 than any other realistic expansion candidates are the BIG12's best options. Sign a 5-year TV contract, just like the BIG12, and the BIG12 will wait for us.

And while ESPN+ has over 20 million subscribers, 40% are bundlers with Hulu and Disney. I'd guess 25% or more ESPN+ subs never watch it. And viewership numbers? I can't find any. But we do know ESPN is hemorrhaging money, and laid off a large number employees.

[Merkin]

The BIG12 without Texas and OU is a conference of also-rans

There are more sports than just football. PAC-12 Conference of Champions.

Understanding that football is the biggest revenue sport, but look how well the ACC has done as a basketball conference.

I'm a huge Apple fangirl, but being on that service is a death sentence. You need to go after SPORTS FANS not APPLE FANS. Apple fans by and large don't give two craps about sports. Not to mention their MLB broadcasts are a joke.

ESPN+ isn't ideal, but you have a much better chance of people actually seeing you. And let's not forget that Apple will charge to watch the Pac 12 by itself, while with ESPN+ you get to watch multiple sports and conferences for that price, meaning other people can actually watch our games for once! What a concept.

Stick with AZCatGirl guys. She won't lead you astray on this topic.

I agree. I don't have any Apple products, outside of vintage iPods, but no iPhones, iPads or MacBooks.

Never seen a product that caters just to fanboys like Apple. Fangirls too, sorry AZCatGirl.

But just not interested.

[Basketcats]

Has anybody used the term "shit show" yet?

For this thread? Definitely

Does shitstorm count? I used that on pg55 at the top of the responses.

[AzCatFan2]

The BIG12 without Texas and OU is a conference of also-rans

There are more sports than just football. PAC-12 Conference of Champions.

Understanding that football is the biggest revenue sport, but look how well the ACC has done as a basketball conference.

I'm a huge Apple fangirl, but being on that service is a death sentence. You need to go after SPORTS FANS not APPLE FANS. Apple fans by and large don't give two craps about sports. Not to mention their MLB broadcasts are a joke.

ESPN+ isn't ideal, but you have a much better chance of people actually seeing you. And let's not forget that Apple will charge to watch the Pac 12 by itself, while with ESPN+ you get to watch multiple sports and conferences for that price, meaning other people can actually watch our games for once! What a concept.

Stick with AZCatGirl guys. She won't lead you astray on this topic.

I agree. I don't have any Apple products, outside of vintage iPods, but no iPhones, iPads or MacBooks.

Never seen a product that caters just to fanboys like Apple. Fangirls too, sorry AZCatGirl.

But just not interested.

Football is about 3/4 of the revenue equation. March Madness, which already has a solid TV contract, basketball doesn't bring that much revenue in. There's a reason why Duke, great basketball, great academics, but football afterthought, isn't included in the conversation about ACC teams that might one day go to the SEC and/or the B1G.

I too am not a fan of Apple products. Have none in the house; not even an old school iPod. I do, however, subscribe to Apple TV. App works just fine on my Android device, Windows driven computers, and my Vizio TV. Apple TV works like any other streaming service. If you are a sports fan, and don't subscribe to any streaming services yet, sooner, rather than later, you will be missing out on content you will want to watch.

[Merkin]

PAC will probably lock up ION soon.

I have lost hope that the Cats will move to the B12. When did Robbins ever do what the fans wanted?

Why would you do what fans wanted and not what is in the best interest of the University if you were Robbins?

Isn't making more more money in the best interest of the University? After all, TCU was in the MWC until 2012.

[84Cat]

[AzCatFan2]

Wonder if this means if the CW will be the linear partner for the PAC? Having ACC games followed by PAC games makes for good "shoulder content" for the CW. Also could be a test run for a future combined ACC/PAC? Just speculation, but seems logical on my end. 50 football/basketball games isn't a lot of content. But over 100 ACC plus PAC games combined?

[Merkin]

The CW with Apple TV is very fitting for the PAC. I was told there would be no math, but it seems a combined viewership of less than 1M?

The Pac-12 needs to differentiate itself by partnering with the one streaming partner nobody watches.

[azgreg]

[RichardCranium]

Somebody run a book on which will occur first: scalable fusion reactors or a PAC TV deal.

[Merkin]

Imagine the PAC burnt the bridges wish SDSU. Nice work George.

[PHXCATS]

Imagine the PAC burnt the bridges wish SDSU. Nice work George.

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

[CardiacCats97]

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

[Irish27]

[azcat49]

Sounds like this doesn’t have anything to do with the realignment but rather poor conduct

[Merkin]

As you can imagine, this is huge in the university environment, much less Stanford of all places.

There were “repeated instances of manipulation of research data and/or subpar scientific practices from different people and in labs run by Dr. Tessier-Lavigne at different institutions,” the report concluded.

[azgreg]

[CardiacCats97]

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

Nothing?

Dang it, I was really hoping to learn the stuff the small dick podcasters refuse to tell me.

[dovecanyoncat]

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

Nothing?

Dang it, I was really hoping to learn the stuff the small dick podcasters refuse to tell me.

You have to apologize first or the proper big dick won't rise to the occasion.

[Basketcats]

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

Nothing?

Dang it, I was really hoping to learn the stuff the small dick podcasters refuse to tell me.

You have to apologize first or the proper big dick won't rise to the occasion.

From what I have learned over the course of the past year or so from the PAC 12 and all it's groupies....

A measured response with enough details to choke a horse (fly) is on it's way. Please allow time for it to be properly formulated. It should be posted in the very near future. Possibly before the start of football season, however as you know, it takes time and at least one other groupie acting as a source to get these things right. Thank you for your patience.

[dovecanyoncat]

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

Nothing?

Dang it, I was really hoping to learn the stuff the small dick podcasters refuse to tell me.

You have to apologize first or the proper big dick won't rise to the occasion.

From what I have learned over the course of the past year or so from the PAC 12 and all it's groupies....

A measured response with enough details to choke a horse (fly) is on it's way. Please allow time for it to be properly formulated. It should be posted in the very near future. Possibly before the start of football season, however as you know, it takes time and at least one other groupie acting as a source to get these things right. Thank you for your patience.

I wait with bated breath .......

[Merkin]

George has been listening to Machina and AzCatFan2.

And this came out of his mouth too?

[CardiacCats97]

Does the PAC still have a PR team that can maybe workshop what George is going to say before he opens his mouth and literal shit comes out?

[PHXCATS]

George has been listening to Machina and AzCatFan2.

And this came out of his mouth too?

We already know how you only read what you want and not what others actually wrote. Don't need to keep on doing it over and over and over again.

Imagine not having the ability to think on your own and only following Scheer and Luke and Spears

[Merkin]

We already know how you only read what you want and not what others actually wrote. Don't need to keep on doing it over and over and over again.

Imagine not having the ability to think on your own and only following Scheer and Luke and Spears

Not even close but keep up the fake narratives. It is what you do best

Care to educate us ignorant folk as to what the real story is?

(this should be good)

Nothing?

Dang it, I was really hoping to learn the stuff the small dick podcasters refuse to tell me.

Still waiting Machina.

Either put up or shut up, and stop projecting.

Your sports persona exactly matches your political one.

[PHXCATS]

I muted that clown

There is zero evidence that the PAC-12 mislead SDSU. There is zero evidence SDSU sent that letter to the MWC based on what the PAC-12 said. The PAC-12 clearly stated they wanted to get the TV deal done first. SDSU sending that letter to the MWC had nothing todo with the PAC-12.

And SDSU has wanted to go to the PAC-12 for years and years and years. Their letter is not going to change that.

So yeah you are wrong and you push false fake narritives

And my political persona? You mean being consistent. Yeah asking for consistency does match my sports persona big guy

[KillerKlown]

Guy mutes anyone that disagrees with him or proves him wrong. Lmao.
Muted me too. Soon It'll just be him and Azcatfan2 in here.

[FreeSpiritCat]

The Pac-12 is the laughingstock of the country. I am losing hope that UA will get out of this without a big downfall and lower expectations. We are dangerously close to becoming a mid-major school.

[dovecanyoncat]

I muted that clown

There is zero evidence that the PAC-12 mislead SDSU. There is zero evidence SDSU sent that letter to the MWC based on what the PAC-12 said. The PAC-12 clearly stated they wanted to get the TV deal done first. SDSU sending that letter to the MWC had nothing todo with the PAC-12.

And SDSU has wanted to go to the PAC-12 for years and years and years. Their letter is not going to change that.

So yeah you are wrong and you push false fake narritives

And my political persona? You mean being consistent. Yeah asking for consistency does match my sports persona big guy

So, you mute anyone whom you think has a small cock. Then why did you mute me, muffin?

[CardiacCats97]

I muted that clown

Good one. You have DoveCanyon and Basketcats muted too? Must get lonely for you with so few posters showing up in your feed.

There is zero evidence that the PAC-12 mislead SDSU. There is zero evidence SDSU sent that letter to the MWC based on what the PAC-12 said. The PAC-12 clearly stated they wanted to get the TV deal done first. SDSU sending that letter to the MWC had nothing todo with the PAC-12.

And SDSU has wanted to go to the PAC-12 for years and years and years. Their letter is not going to change that.

So yeah you are wrong and you push false fake narritives

Your opinion is noted. And stupid. And lacking in logic or anything resembling a persuasive argument. Seems like you just want to be a contrarian because it gets you attention. I’m happy it’s working out so well for you.

[PHXCATS]

The Pac-12 is the laughingstock of the country. I am losing hope that UA will get out of this without a big downfall and lower expectations. We are dangerously close to becoming a mid-major school.

Respectfully there is zero evidence of any of this

USC, Utah, Washington and Oregon are all very good and in the public right now in football and U of A is still elite in basketball.

you are letting the drama of the podcasters and writers get in the way.

Give me one example please of how this is hurting U of A? or any PAC-12 school?

[PHXCATS]

Guy mutes anyone that disagrees with him or proves him wrong. Lmao.
Muted me too. Soon It'll just be him and Azcatfan2 in here.

I cant mute you and Merk. I gotta know what the stans are saying

[Merkin]

More Luke goodness for Machina.

[Basketcats]

More Luke goodness for Machina.

You will never get a straight or committed answer from him. Kliavkoff is one of the biggest waffling sob's around. He is well practiced in the art of direct eye contact waffling.

[PHXCATS]

Tell me, what good would an honest answer do for Arizona???

[Merkin]

Make the PAC a less laughing stock than they are now. Now it's even worse.

Is Jody on your list too Machina?

Not a laughing stock?

[PHXCATS]

What list Merk?

So you believe U of A is missing out of 5 stars in basketball and 4 stars in baseball and football because of the lack of media deal?

Are they losing coaches?

How EXACTLY is U of A being hurt by not having a deal? Beside some sports media people saying it is embarrassing what exactly is the damage?

[dovecanyoncat]

[Merkin]

What list Merk?

The list of sports pundits where you know more than they do.

Guess you need to expand it.

Imagine not having the ability to think on your own and only following Scheer and Luke and Spears

[PHXCATS]

I do not have a list of that. You know it is possible to respectfully disagree with someone right? Jody is the best in Arizona, but I strongly disagree with him on this issue. And I think you really do as well since you cannot name one single area that U of A is impacted by. You just gotta stand by your men in Scheer and Luke and Spears and Blattman and Clay Travis and the far right win Outkick

[TheCat]

Well I would say it makes budgeting harder when you don't know what revenue will be. You don't know what you can commit to on salaries for coaches and what the effects will be on the overall athletic budget. Not sure what money is available for any facility upgrades or expansions. This ignores some recruiting aspects where you can't tell a family how to watch their kid play. I'm sure there are others.

[PHXCATS]

Well I would say it makes budgeting harder when you don't know what revenue will be. You don't know what you can commit to on salaries for coaches and what the effects will be on the overall athletic budget. Not sure what money is available for any facility upgrades or expansions. This ignores some recruiting aspects where you can't tell a family how to watch their kid play. I'm sure there are others.

Clearly not hurting basketball or football

As far as budgeting, do you really think the presidents and ADs have never heard a single number? I am sure they have and I am sure it is close to or better than the Big 12's numbers. So they do have something they can budget with for the coming years

[TheCat]

And you know this how? I'm sure they have been given a worse case number but that is not how you run a multi million dollar business. I'm not sure how you know it hasn't affect recruiting just because football has increased from the absolute bottom.

[CardiacCats97]

Make the PAC a less laughing stock than they are now. Now it's even worse.

Is Jody on your list too Machina?

This video is spot on. If the PAC was going to establish itself as worthy of Major conference status, and if its schools going forward would be able to benefit from everything that goes along with that (College Football Playoff preference, getting more than 1 or 2 teams in the bball tourney, hosting baseball/softball regionals, etc), today was the day to announce the media deal.

There is no deal. Every day from here on out whatever deal they get will get progressively worse. The PAC-10 is a decomposing corpse.

[PHXCATS]

And you know this how? I'm sure they have been given a worse case number but that is not how you run a multi million dollar business. I'm not sure how you know it hasn't affect recruiting just because football has increased from the absolute bottom.

Well considering this is the best UA has ever recruited I would find it extremely hard to believe it is, but if you can say it is for sure I would love to see your data or proof of it

[84Cat]

Machina is buying what the commish is selling. The media is just writing fud to get more clicks. Nobody knows wtf is going on. Hopefully we will find out soon what the media deal will look like and then we can analyze it to death. Damn the off season sucks

[PHXCATS]

Nobody knows wtf is going on.

Exactly. No one is in the room with George and the PAC-12 Presidents and the TV networks. So you can only use logic. Many are using emoting though

[Merkin]

Nobody knows wtf is going on.

Exactly. No one is in the room with George and the PAC-12 Presidents and the TV networks. So you can only use logic. Many are using emoting though

Obviously you are smarter than every pundit covering college sports, so what does logic tell you?