Big Ten commissioner: Expansion decision still months away (May be looking Southward)

[madinmaryland]

CHICAGO (AP) -- If the Big Ten decides to expand, commissioner Jim Delany said the league hopes to get some southern exposure. A few more eyes on the TV would be nice, too.

Delany said gaining a foothold in the South and extending the reach of the league's lucrative television network are the two biggest factors as it decides whether to grow.

He also said the Big Ten is not "looking to achieve a championship game" in football even though it could mean millions more for a conference that already pays each member about $22 million. A title game like those held in the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference would also shorten the lengthy bowl-game layoff for some teams, which has been a point of contention for at least a few of the conference's coaches.

"That's not the motivation," Delany said Tuesday at league meetings in Chicago. "If it was, we could have done that many times over the past 20 years."

The conference grabbed the attention of everyone in college sports when it announced that it was considering whether to add to its current 11 members, a move that could lead to a domino effect in other leagues. Delany said the Big Ten is basically sticking with the timeframe he laid out in December, when he said the league would explore its options over the next 12 to 18 months.

"Could it be 19? I hope not," he said. "Could it be 11? It may."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/05/18/bigten-expansion.ap/index.html

Ok, Condem. Months more of speculation.

[Upton]

1. "Months more of speculation"?

Sounds more like years.

[madinmaryland]

2. They could just add Pitt and then have a championship game, but now

we have to listen to condem for months try and convince us that Rutgers belongs in the Big Ten.

:wtf:

[Condem]

3. Yeah. Last week Delaney said that expansion would "geographically make sense."

Two questions, Mr. Delaney. Does adding Texas geographically (because I'm sure this is the school we're after) make sense? How long does it take to do a study? Hell, just use Frank the Tank's numbers. Look on the brightside, mad. At least we'll have something to talk about all summer instead of fucking baseball. Gawd. How much can I take of the Frisco Giants????

[Upton]

4. You could talk about the NHL or NBA playoffs..

what about the World Cup?

C'mon Condem, life is out there...just put on your bib overalls and crawl out of that cornfield..

[Condem]

5. I'm with ya', Upton.

I'm ready for The Cup. Both of them if the Flyers make it. The Tour. Truly, the beauty of sports. Always something happening. Fuck the NBA, though. Just goddawful shit.

[madinmaryland]

6. Just saying, Condem. They could add Pitt and be done with this nonsense.

The South comment is BS, and going with a NYC team is BS.

Yeah, it does give us something to argue about for a few more months, but I'm not sure if there really is much more to argue about.

[Condem]

7. I still think there was something to last weeks report out of KC, mad.

I'll put a hundred bucks. 100 donuts. $100.00. With anyone who wants to take a go. I say this. Rutgers, Mizzou and Nebraska are in. I'm good for it. Anyone?

[Condem]

8. Fuck me. I better limit this to the first two bettors.

'Big Jim' could get me into some scalding water.

[happyiowan]

9. Have I ever told you about the time....?

I met Tom Osborne. Yeah, I'm sure I have. My hair could be white as snow before this goes any further. And Condem, careful with that $100. You ask me, folks are getting itchy about reshuffling the Big 12 and Mr. Greedy, Delany, wants Texas.

[LisaM]

10. Mr. Greedy is right

I wish some other conference would just take him away. He's not a Big Ten guy, anyway, the jackass.

[Condem]

11. A Duke Blue Devil, LisaM.

I'm surprised they haven't been mentioned. C'mon, Diamond Jim. You have the whole country's interest. Get it done. It's going to happen eventually. The sooner the better.

[happyiowan]

12. I'm conflicted

I think all of the conferences are about to start waging a cash war. Fan of tradition that I am, I also don't want to see the Big 10 standing around watching the paint dry. If it turns out that it has to be about money then we best grab some up and I say, let's cherry pick the best teams, we're one of only two conferences worthy of teams moving into.

[LisaM]

13. The Big Ten is already rich

I'd rather be rich with tradition than pocketing a few million more just because you can. I'm not conflicted at all!!!

I thought the guy went to North Carolina, but, eh, Duke, UNC, it's all the same.

[happyiowan]

14. Baby Blue

Carolina Blue, whatever the hell you call it - it's my least favorite color.

[madinmaryland]

15. You make an interesting point, and let me add to that...

"I also don't want to see the Big 10 standing around watching the paint dry."

Is it possible that is exactly what the Big Ten is doing. Being the Premier Athletic Conference, are they floating these rumours and trial balloons to see what the other lesser conferences are doing. :tinfoilhat:

Realistically, there is no way a conference can have more than 12 teams. Anything larger in football to me would be a merger between two eight or ten team conferences who would agree to play a "conference championship" game. That just sounds fucking stupid.

[happyiowan]

16. A game of chicken?!

Premier athletic conference may be a little over the top. I figure it's a battle between the SEC and the Big 10 networks. Maybe a little bear baiting with the SEC, yes. How many metaphors can I mix in here, anyway? Clearly, it has been revealed that the Big 12 has a problem. As for the Big East, who gives a damn. It's awful and everyone knows it. Your notion is a good one. Maybe it's just a matter of who jumps first. Stupid old Notre Dame could have cinched it. Now they begin the long, slow descent into irrelevancy. They'll join a conference or their irrelevance will happen in my lifetime.

[madinmaryland]

17. You make some excellent points. Too bad Condem doesn't listen to you...

:hide:

"As for the Big East, who gives a damn." Perfect. Other than Pitt, none of them belong in the Big Ten.

You are spot on with Notre Dame. They will fit in perfectly with the MAC!

:D

[Condem]

18. A good read. Despite what my wife thinks.

http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/football/10376-miller-big-10-expansion-texas-notre-dame-put-notice.html

[FLPanhandle]

19. Kentucky?

They would still be strong in basketball and might have a fighting chance in football in the Big Ten

[madinmaryland]

20. That's interesting. Funny, but given their location, you would

think there would be some natural rivalries with Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois teams for Kentucky. But there really doesn't seem to be any there.

[Condem]

21. Back burner time, people.

This deal has a long way to go.

[madinmaryland]

22. Which way is the wind blowing, condem? I have seen some of your

other posts today saying the something is essentially going to happen eminently.

:wtf:

[Condem]

23. Texas, mad. Possibly Miami (Fla). Vandy.

That's what I'm seeing. Gonna have to work on my good-ol'-boy lingo. Hey, Jim-Bob! That possum looks over doney. Pass me 'nuther Lone Star, Reb woodja?

[madinmaryland]

24. Only Vandy would work. None of the other SEC schools qualify as educational.

We don't need the criminal enterprise from Miami, FL joining us. Sorry trumad, you can keep Miami.

[Condem]

25. Maybe south means south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Maryland and Virginia. Academics are playing a significant role in the proceedings.

[madinmaryland]

26. Maryland and VA are not going to the Big Ten. Try again, Condem.

[FLPanhandle]

28. I think any ACC school would bolt to the Big Ten or SEC

The money is much better.

[Condem]

31. FLPanhandle.

Finally. Someone who has got their shit together.

[Condem]

27. A Wolverine weighs in. This is the gift that keeps on giving...

...and months more of it. http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/football/10409-realignment-crystal-ball.html

[madinmaryland]

29. You guys REALLY need to lay off that shit! It fucks with your mind...

:wtf:

[Upton]

30. Hey..wait a minute

what's all this BS about the Pac-10 spitting into 2 divisions? Where did that come from?

[madinmaryland]

32. They have an issue in Iowa with...

[happyiowan]

35. Until they make inhalants out of corn

or grow them in a ditch, it ain't gonna be the Iowa way.

[Condem]

33. A good read by Pat Forde. Listen up, mad. Fuck Pitt. It's

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5203980&sportCat=ncf What I've been saying all along.

[madinmaryland]

34. He completely obliterates every argument that you have made for 14 or 16 teams.

Good call. Pitt will join before Nebraska. Though he doesn't say it, Nebraska will not go without Oklahoma. Not happening.

[Condem]

36. mad. I've said all along. One team. Notre Dame. But they're not coming.

Since, I've said fuck it and take Big Red. Either one. I'm cool. But I think at the very least, three are coming. Rutgers, Nebby and Mizzou.
Pitt. Not a chance in hell.

[happyiowan]

38. Here - I totally agree with you.

Notre Dame alone would close the deal. Ain't happenin'. Their loss. Greedy bastards - enjoy your obscurity. Now bring on Big Red.

[Condem]

40. My wife agrees with me. That's a first.

C'mon Uncle Tom. Say it and it's yours.

[madinmaryland]

45. Has Osborne weighed in on this? Or is he still trying to take women's rights

away?

[Condem]

46. I posted months ago when this deal broke..

..Osborne said "if the phone rang and it was the Big Ten, I would happily pick it up." Powerful. Big Red is coming.

[happyiowan]

48. Twice in one night....

Lord help me, Condem is right. Osborne is all in. I hate the man's politics, but god damn could he coach. And he was very sweet and kind and generous to me when I was a know-nothing kid on a tour of his stadium.

[madinmaryland]

50. Interesting concept that you and con have gotten me thinking about tonight...

Maybe the goal is to move one of the teams in the big ten to another conference. Such as Iowa to the Big 12 where they could join Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa State, etc. A lot of natural regional rivalries.

It would get the Big Ten back to their TEN team number and not really affect the quality of competition in the league!

:D

[madinmaryland]

39. Condem. You've NOT said that all along. Unless of course, upton and cboy

said that Barry Bonds never did steroids.

The Big Ten wants a team that WANTS to be in the Big Ten. Pitt or Nebraska. Nebraska loses all their rivalries from the old Big 8, while Pitt gets the opportunity to play in America's Premier Conference. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

[Condem]

42. The Big 8? Isn't that a hotel chain?

C'mon, mad. It's a pro sports town. That's your argument about NYC. What's Pittsburgh?

[madinmaryland]

44. Pitt (not Will) would be a perfect match for the Big Ten. Read my other posts

about Nebraska. They have NO rivalries in the Big 10.

Question for you: What pro team is located in Lincoln, Nebraska? At least Pittsburgh have teams the have won FIVE Super Bowls, FIVE World Series Championships, and THREE Stanley Cup Championship.

Any professional sports championships from Nebraska? At least Oklahoma had a team make a "professional" league playoff this spring!

[Condem]

47. That's my argument, moran.

Pittsburgh is a Pro town. They don't give one rat's ass about the Panthers. Their attendance shows that.

[madinmaryland]

49. Dude. You really need to lay off the crack-pipe. And the attendance issue??

Nice post cboy!

I will admit that Notre Dame would be the best fit, but neither ND nor the Big Ten wants that marriage. Too many issues for that to happen.

What about Iowa State? It would give you Iowans (well, immigrant iowans) an in-state rival! Maybe the Big Ten poo-bahs will throw you guys a bone!

[Condem]

51. Nice dodge, there, cupton.

Let's hear some Pitt Panther attendance figures. While your at it..some TV ratings in the Steel City.

[madinmaryland]

52. Now you are puffing up OK and NE! Shit, OK got their ass kicked in basketball

a few years back by a division III team. Yeah ONU!! :rofl:

They suck in basketball. Pitt brings much more.

[Condem]

53. Still waiting on those figures, Dorsett.

Anytime now.

[madinmaryland]

54. You seem to want to be the "attendance" guy. How about backing that up.

[Condem]

55. We fill Kinnick every Saturday, mad.

Look it up.

[madinmaryland]

56. Congratulations, Condem! So do Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.

How well does your Rutgers team do?

Two "announced" sell-outs.

:rofl:

[Condem]

37. This guy from Omaha has his shit in a pile.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100519/SPORTS/705199802/0 Love reading his stuff.

[madinmaryland]

41. Classic...

"• 1. Big Ten Expansion is a fun game to play. It's addictive. But the first rule of the game is this: nothing may happen.

The second rule is, don't overthink it."

You, my friend, are guilty of the first two rules!

:D

[Condem]

43. Well, yeah, my friend.

And by the number of views in these threads, it's kind of a popular topic.

[DAMANgoldberg]

57. Mizzou...

Missouri makes too much sense for the Big 10.
Arkansas goes to the Big 12 to replace Missouri.
Louisville goes to the SEC to replace Arkansas.
East Carolina goes to the Big East to replace Louisville.
problem solved:

[Condem]

58. Nebraska instead of Mizzou and you got a deal!

Mucho more moolah.