PAC 12 to PAC 2: What to do?

[harveycmd]

Washington State and Oregon State are trying to maintain their status as a "power" conference with an automatic bid to the CFP. This is clear evidence that the NCAA can't work much longer. They're willing to destroy the sport because they're mad about the break-up of the Pac 12. It seems there is little choice for the SEC and Big 10 but to disassociate from the goobers and play a real sport.

[Bobby Burton]

Not sure how they’re going to be able to do that. But there’s probably a large amount of $$$ at stake for them. 

[harveycmd]

Any change to the compensation and playoff format requires a unanimous vote from the former "Power 5." They can block a vote to change the automatic bids to the CFP unless they get a full share of the money, which is what they're doing. Yes, there is money at play for them. Bottom line is the SEC and Big 10 can blow them up by simply leaving, which is what they should do. If they want to play hardball, then you should play real hardball, kind of like Michael Corleone in "The Godfather."

[harveycmd]

 

[Glass Joe]

Washington State AD (Sholz) is simply negotiating for the best deal possible for the Pac-2 leftovers, with a unique leverage position over the CFP for the next 2 years.  He’s holding out his vote to prevent unanimous approval of the changes to the CFB playoff format (to 5+7 model) and revenue distribution model.  

There’s only two years left on the original CFB Playoff deal (the new extension kicks in for 2026, and associated changes the governance model). I think the announcement of ESPN as the sole media provider for $1.3B per year was step one in resolving this negotiation, as now the economic terms going forward are on the table.  One less variable to worry about.

I’m sure Sholz realizes the veto power he currently holds decreases over time as 2026 is only two years away, and I’m also sure he realizes that the Big Ten and SEC have formed a committee discuss completely overhauling the college football governance structure and associated CFP format and structure (and revenue distribution model).

The guess here is Sholz really wants a reconstituted PAC-12 with the MWC reverse merging its schools in the current Pac-2, and keeping as many of the economic benefits as possible that go with P5 status.  Basically, secure a decent future for WSU and OSU, while realizing they’ve been sent away from the big kids’ table for a reason.  Of course, that means a TV partner willing to provide a media rights deal that gives secure economics to the new Pac-12 (which is really just the MWC + OSU and WSU).

I can see that new version of the Pac/MWC getting something to shut them up and appease them for the short term, but they won’t be getting P5 status nor P5 equivalent payouts from the CFP playoff distribution.  That’s just silly.  The P5 will morph into the P4, (or even the P2+2 with a lesser CFP payout to the ACC and Big12 than the SEC and Big Ten). 
 
Sholz can hold the CFP hostage for the next two years, but the guess here is the Big Ten / SEC won’t allow that if negotiations on a 5+7 model fail before the 2024 playoffs (meaning, the next few months).  Net-net: ESPN, Fox, the SEC, and the Big Ten aren’t going to let Sholz / WSU stand in the way of a multi-billion dollar business plan.

[harveycmd]

Sholz's veto power is meaningless if the SEC and Big 10 leave now. He can put that in his pipe and smoke it. Who is going to believe that an NCAA football champion is better than an SEC/Big 10 combined champion? I'll tell you who, no one. Call their bluff and ball them out. 

[Hookem777]

16 hours ago, harveycmd said:

Washington State and Oregon State are trying to maintain their status as a "power" conference with an automatic bid to the CFP. This is clear evidence that the NCAA can't work much longer. They're willing to destroy the sport because they're mad about the break-up of the Pac 12. It seems there is little choice for the SEC and Big 10 but to disassociate from the goobers and play a real sport.

How are they destroying the sport? These form of mega conferences can be just as destructive. Look at the NBA. The players have so much control now and form these super teams. Then egos get in the way and players sit out, then go somewhere else and then the cycle repeats. I can't watch the NBA because of it. 

But regardless of all of that, money and greed has, and will end up in the end, being what destroyed college football as we know it imo. You can already see that's where it heading imo.

[harveycmd]

When you have a two team "conference" attempting to blackmail their way into being treated as a fully equal member of the other "power" conferences, you are watering down the level of competition in the sport if you give in to them. Most people seem to think it doesn't matter too much. They have two years of veto power. Pay them and try to get them to go away. If you pay them, why would they go away? They won't. It'll be the same thing next time, or worse. It's better to cut the cord now by letting them and NCAA know who's really in charge.