Why do schools change conferences

The ACC and SEC both have long-term media grant-of-rights agreements, running through and , respectively. The Pac deal expires after the sports year, and the Big 12's ends the following year.

Traditional rights deals aren't the only reason matters. By then the traditional rights deal itself might be obsolete. Conferences recognize that fans are consuming content, including live events, in different ways. Leagues like the Pac are counting on it, especially because its own network has yet to produce significant revenue for members.

There will be more and different types of players. Because streaming could become the primary way fans watch games, conferences might hold on to more of their own inventory and invest in their own delivery methods, like BTN2Go, the Big Ten Network's app. The changing market could benefit Big 12 schools, who retain their third-tier media rights. Realignment strategy also should change. In , the Big Ten added Maryland and Rutgers more for their surrounding television markets than for the individual fan bases they added to the league.

But if traditional cable subscription numbers continue to decrease, leagues might be less concerned about markets and would instead target members with large, passionate fan bases, willing to pay whatever to see their teams. That's why football-only members could be a bigger factor for power conferences when realignment stirs again. That could be good news for BYU, a football-only candidate for the Big 12 last year, or even Group of 5 football heavyweights like Boise State and Houston.

Conferences also might hesitate to expand because of the changes in the media climate and the difficulty to predict even one or two years down the road. The Big 12's decision last fall underscores a lack of fail-safe expansion options. Although certain Group of 5 schools have some time to enhance their profiles before the next round of negotiations, they must convince the big conferences that accepting them will pay off.

So, if you were to expand, can you do it in a way that grows the pie for everyone? The so-called superconference model -- four team leagues -- could take off in Or there could be minimal or no movement among the big conferences. ACC is 15 if you count Notre Dame. I don't know they necessarily have an appetite for further expansion.

You never know. There are some schools that almost anyone would want to have. Expansion carries risk, but so does falling behind in revenue. Eventually those cuts will have to be reflected in the quality of education and fewer students will attend. Fewer students fewer loans and far less money because the state is in no shape to close the funding breach. This is only one school, there are many, many others in the same situation. Once the student loan bubble bursts, many schools will implode.

I believe NE made the move out of their conference because they know that many unis in their former conference are facing the same situation as was WAZZU. Last edited by loloroj; at AM.. Originally Posted by loloroj. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum.

It is free and quick. Additional giveaways are planned. Detailed information about all U. Posting Quick Reply - Please Wait. Similar Threads Going to conferences as an undergraduate student? College sports question--changing conferences schools, scholarships, paying, programs.

User Name. Remember Me. View detailed profile Advanced or search site with. Search Forums Advanced. Second, the broadening of the Big 12 with college football programs on the rise, as well as programs that expand the Big 12 footprint into new television markets, makes sense. SMU cannot be counted out as a possible Big 12 member either. Third, the Big 12 would likely be able to add a program like Memphis or Cincinnati or Houston faster than it could steal a program like Colorado or Utah or Arizona State from the Pac This convoluted topic is still just getting started, but there should not be any question that all of the AAC programs mentioned within this article now possess a greater chance of reaching Power Five status, thanks in large part to this scheduling pact concept.

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