[From the class of 09]

If the SEC is only adding 2 schools, and UNC is one of them, I will put anything Sly wants in my signature for the next 25 years...there's not a chance in Radford that's happening. It's been covered fairly well, but seriously...those of you talking about UVA in the SEC...just stop. It's absolutely ridiculous.

As for the SEC not caring about anything but football and basketball...I don't think that's quite accurate. It really depends on the school. Obviously football is king at Bama, but I can tell you that they do care about some olympic sports such as women's gymnastics (seriously, it sells out) and baseball.

Several SEC schools ( ie: LSU, Florida and Arkansas just for starters) are also very strong in T&F (both men's and women's). We're talking multiple national championships and dozens of Olympians over the years.

Along with baseball and softball…lol

[Sly Fox]

I have never suggested that it is likely that UNC would accept an invitation from the SEC. All I have noted is that from the SEC's perspective it is the most attractive option to open up television markets and revenue while not stepping far beyond their geographic footprint. Virginia Tech doesn't do much in the TV market regard with primarily small & medium markets outside of DC which would be easier to attract through Maryland. North Carolina would deliver three Top-50 markets where the SEC would be an easy sell.

For schools like UVa, UNC and Texas the concerns are related more to academic reputation than anything else. While athletics revenue is driving this bus, the guys behind the wheel typically come from academia. So it still plays a role. That's why the Pac-10 is much more attractive to schools like Texas & Oklahoma. It would be to Texas A&M as well, but for those unaware the make-up of the A&M campus leans primarily rural. If you live in farm & ranch country, you probably are an Aggie. And if you live in farm & ranch country, the makeup of teams from places like Mississippi & Arkansas seem more up your alley than California or Arizona. Forgive me if I am generalizing too broadly, PastorZack.

[LUconn]

It's been covered fairly well, but seriously...those of you talking about UVA in the SEC...just stop. It's absolutely ridiculous.

I still don't see why this is so bizarre. So far I've heard the SEC doesn't have lacrosse, SEC doesn't have good academics and UVA football sucks. All of those are true statements but they're not reasons why it wouldn't happen. I'm not saying this is going to happen or anything but it's far from "absolutely ridiculous".

[LUconn]

And who's to say that the teams in the SEC even want a good football team added? It's already murders' row every season. In a system where you pretty much have to go undefeated, I would think an in conference cupcake in a good market would be a dream come true

[Sly Fox]

LUconn is correct that this is not about adding great teams ... it is about enhancing positioning & adding revenue.

And let the record state that I potentially stand to profit by the Big XII staying alive with 10 teams thereby allowing Texas and Texas A&M to start up their own television networks. So anything I say in regard to the subject matter henceforth should be interpreted as such.

Right now, the word on the street is that it all comes down to the Aggies ... if they bolt then the Horns, Red Raiders, Swooners & Cowpokes head to the Pac-10. If the Ags decide to pass on the SEC, they will likely influence decision of all of the others whether they head west or stick together for the time being. It is a highly unlikely turn of events that A&M would be in the driver's seat. Hope they enjoy it because if they head to the SEC the poundings will likely be worse then they endure now in the Big XII.

[4everfsu]

Mix signals out of Austin

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5284375

[4everfsu]

If Texas A&M goes to the SEC, they will be the red headed step child in the state of Texas

[TDDance234]

So really, we're just waiting on the Texas domino to fall. If they stay put, chances are this is all one big pipe dream and this realignment business can stop.

[ALUmnus]

It'll be interesting to see who's sources are more accurate, the espn goons, local media, or bloggers. Sometimes I think some of these guys just need something printed, so they make statements attributed to "sources close to the situation" that are very possible, and that way they can claim the scoop, but are really stuff they've thouhgt of themselves.

[Sly Fox]

If by bloggers you mean the Orangebloods Rivals guys, Chip Brown was a longtime AP writer and used to work for the Dallas Morning News before they cut back staff. His sources are legit as evidenced by everything being reported coming to reality. I have no idea who ESPN is using for their sources. But people I know who have legit info state that nothing is decided in either Austin or College Station. The news that has leaked out has caught the attention of all of the big donors for all of the schools so the administrators have their hands full right now.

[SumItUp]

Several SEC schools ( ie: LSU, Florida and Arkansas just for starters) are also very strong in T&F (both men's and women's). We're talking multiple national championships and dozens of Olympians over the years.

40 National Championships for the Razorbacks from the men's side in T&F and CC.

Men's Indoor Track – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
Men's Outdoor Track – 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
Men's Cross-Country – 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

[blwall1416]

Men's Indoor Track – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
Men's Outdoor Track – 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
Men's Cross-Country – 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

So you're saying they've had a couple of down years, huh?

[Sly Fox]

Here is the latest from Orangebloods that could could bring an end to the realignment this summer. Essentially certain schools (UT, A&M, OU) would get paid more in television revenue than the weaker sisters. Those three schools would have the door open to work out their own individual networks which could add millions more annually. And don't forget about the $10M exit fees that Nebraska & Colorado are paying. If the league sticks around, all ten teams figure to add $2M each to their coffers.

According to sources familiar with the deal, Texas stands to earn between $20 million and $25 million in television revenue, including money from its own network. The UT network figures to generate between $3 million and $5 million, according to sources.

According to sources, the deal will mean more money for Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, who all stand receive $20 million from the new deal. The other seven schools in the Big 12 would make between $14 million and $17 million, but would nearly double what they currently receive in TV revenue (roughly $7 million to $9 million).

That is better than SEC money and in line with the Big Ten. This may be enough to hold the league together. The Big XII would have ten members and the Big Ten would have 12. So much for branding have anything to do with reality. Then again, we call the Big South home.

[Sly Fox]

It is looking like A&M is staying put in a 10-team Big XII. Twitter is aflutter with reports from inside Big XII schools that a deal is being/has been agreed upon to keep the ten together. Apparently a television network viewed this situation as an opportunity and came to the table with the money to make keeping the league intact a viable option. Obviously there is great rejoicing in places like Ames, Lawrence, Columbia, Waco and the Little Apple. Even Gene Stallings is being quoted as saying he is pleased the league is sticking together and he was the ringleader for moving the Ags to the SEC.

[jcmanson]

So, is the Pac10 stuck with having to add Utah?

[Sly Fox]

It would appear that way. They have to be very disappointed in the past 48 hours where they went from being a 16-team super conference with heavyweights like Texas & Oklahoma to simply adding the Utes (who no longer have either Urban Meyer or Rick Majerus). Now SEC sits tight and lit appears the Big Ten will do the same.

[jcmanson]

It would appear that way. They have to be very disappointed in the past 48 hours where they went from being a 16-team super conference with heavyweights like Texas & Oklahoma to simply adding the Utes (who no longer have either Urban Meyer or Rick Majerus). Now SEC sits tight and lit appears the Big Ten will do the same.

...for now.

[From the class of 09]

If it really does stay put, the Pac10 is in a bad spot adding Colorado doesn't do very much of anything for them other than adding another mediocre team to divide the revenue by. As pointed out they still would have to add another team to host a championship game. And if the best they can do is add Utah I don’t think they helped there conference at all.

[4everfsu]

Texas staying

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5285680

[jcmanson]

Texas staying

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5285680

You make it like it's a done deal, when Sly's been posting this stuff all weekend.

[4everfsu]

Yes it is a done deal according to ESPN. Texas has refused an invitation to the Pac 10 according to the ticket information of ESPN. OK and Texas A&M staying also.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5286672

[Sly Fox]

The news conferences to announce the new deal happen tomorrow morning at 10am CT. The state of Utah is euphoric because outside of this crazy scenario there was no way they'd ever get invited to the Pac-10.

I am already working angles to be involved in UT and A&M network startups. This could be fun for us Texans.

In essence, the MWC just traded Utah for Boise State. The WAC is the real loser in this whole deal. Losing BSU they essentially now become the western version of the MAC or Sunbelt. Wouldn't it be fun to have an eastern version as well?

[01LUGrad]

Several SEC schools ( ie: LSU, Florida and Arkansas just for starters) are also very strong in T&F (both men's and women's). We're talking multiple national championships and dozens of Olympians over the years.

40 National Championships for the Razorbacks from the men's side in T&F and CC.

Men's Indoor Track – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
Men's Outdoor Track – 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
Men's Cross-Country – 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

This got me a little choked up. A t&f reference in all of this. Wow.

Oh, and I'm glad this stuff may be over. I was getting a headache watching the game of Conference Tetris.

[ATrain]

The news conferences to announce the new deal happen tomorrow morning at 10am CT. The state of Utah is euphoric because outside of this crazy scenario there was no way they'd ever get invited to the Pac-10.

I am already working angles to be involved in UT and A&M network startups. This could be fun for us Texans.

In essence, the MWC just traded Utah for Boise State. The WAC is the real loser in this whole deal. Losing BSU they essentially now become the western version of the MAC or Sunbelt. Wouldn't it be fun to have an eastern version as well?

Wouldn't the MAC or Sunbelt qualify as the eastern version? Plus I would still put the WAC a peg or two above those two leagues. Fresno State and Hawaii are still pretty decent, I'd take them over Central Michigan and Troy any day.

[LUconn]

Those directional Michigan schools are normally pretty decent. They put out a lot of pros too. Relatively speaking.