[CardinalSagehen]

Putting reality aside, select your TWO most preferred options for Stanford Football in 2024:

Independent
Mountain West
Pac-12 remnants with "best hits" of Mountain West and AAC (SDSU, SMU, Fresno, UNLV, etc.)
Pac-12 remnants with ACC partnership
Big 10
Big 12

Note that "Kill Football" is not an option.  If you feel that way, just abstain because you don't care anyway.  

I hope people are not bothered that I allowed for selecting two options. We can have a run-off between the top two later.

[CardinalSagehen]

Putting reality aside, select your TWO most preferred options for Stanford Football in 2024:

Independent
Mountain West
Pac-12 remnants with "best hits" of Mountain West and AAC (SDSU, SMU, Fresno, UNLV, etc.)
Pac-12 remnants with ACC partnership
Big 10
Big 12

Note that "Kill Football" is not an option.  If you feel that way, just abstain because you don't care anyway.  

I hope people are not bothered that I allowed for selecting two options. We can have a run-off between the top two later.

[ADPinWDC]

Take out Big 10 / B1G... Not an option any longer. 

That leaves Independent with most votes.

[ADPinWDC]

Take out Big 10 / B1G... Not an option any longer. 

That leaves Independent with most votes.

[chrisk]

Take out Big 10 / B1G... Not an option any longer. 

That leaves Independent with most votes.

Oregon will not be eligible for a full Big 10 share until after the TV deal ends in 2030.

Stanford would have to pay the Big 10 to join.

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

[chrisk]

Take out Big 10 / B1G... Not an option any longer. 

That leaves Independent with most votes.

Oregon will not be eligible for a full Big 10 share until after the TV deal ends in 2030.

Stanford would have to pay the Big 10 to join.

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

[Leftcoast]

As one who voted for the Big-10, it's in the instructions, Chris.   (Plus I'm not sure that it isn't a possibility in the mid-range future)

"Putting reality aside, select your TWO most preferred options for Stanford Football in 2024" - POLL INSTRUCTIONS

[Leftcoast]

As one who voted for the Big-10, it's in the instructions, Chris.   (Plus I'm not sure that it isn't a possibility in the mid-range future)

"Putting reality aside, select your TWO most preferred options for Stanford Football in 2024" - POLL INSTRUCTIONS

[StanfordMatt]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

[StanfordMatt]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

[midnight21]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

In other sports:
- Strong potential rivals in key sports: Gonzaga (basketball M&W), St. Mary's (M basketball), Santa Clara (W soccer), Portland (W soccer), USD (baseball, women's volleyball)
- Keep student-athletes from being subjected to the lengthy travel that BIG teams will face
- Continue to aggressively schedule in the non-conference to ensure strong level of competition and national respect for programs

I think all of this maintains the integrity of the 'student-athlete' experience, allows for regional rivalries, and keeps Stanford well-positioned for the not-so-distant future when cable goes kaput/morphs into something else.

[midnight21]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

In other sports:
- Strong potential rivals in key sports: Gonzaga (basketball M&W), St. Mary's (M basketball), Santa Clara (W soccer), Portland (W soccer), USD (baseball, women's volleyball)
- Keep student-athletes from being subjected to the lengthy travel that BIG teams will face
- Continue to aggressively schedule in the non-conference to ensure strong level of competition and national respect for programs

I think all of this maintains the integrity of the 'student-athlete' experience, allows for regional rivalries, and keeps Stanford well-positioned for the not-so-distant future when cable goes kaput/morphs into something else.

[chrisk]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

How much would you have Stanford pay TO the Big 10 to become a member?

[chrisk]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

How much would you have Stanford pay TO the Big 10 to become a member?

[StanfordMatt]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

How much would you have Stanford pay TO the Big 10 to become a member?

Stanford could buy the entire Big 10 and chalk it up to a rounding error.

Credit to Wilner for that analogy.

[StanfordMatt]

In the face of the facts, how can so many be voting for the Big 10?

I voted for Big 10 because the premise of the prompt states “putting reality aside.”

How much would you have Stanford pay TO the Big 10 to become a member?

Stanford could buy the entire Big 10 and chalk it up to a rounding error.

Credit to Wilner for that analogy.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

I think independent is better than the other options, but is it realistic? We have one tenth the fan base of ND, and while we may be tech savvy I don't see anybody offering us big money to stream Stanford football. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I have a hard time believing someone's going to pay $10m for rights to football. Even that is a significant step down from what Stanford is getting from the Pac-12 this year, right?

In every bit of chaos there is opportunity but I haven't found it yet. This seems like a disaster all around for Stanford athletics.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

I think independent is better than the other options, but is it realistic? We have one tenth the fan base of ND, and while we may be tech savvy I don't see anybody offering us big money to stream Stanford football. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I have a hard time believing someone's going to pay $10m for rights to football. Even that is a significant step down from what Stanford is getting from the Pac-12 this year, right?

In every bit of chaos there is opportunity but I haven't found it yet. This seems like a disaster all around for Stanford athletics.

[Snorlax94]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

I think independent is better than the other options, but is it realistic? We have one tenth the fan base of ND, and while we may be tech savvy I don't see anybody offering us big money to stream Stanford football. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I have a hard time believing someone's going to pay $10m for rights to football. Even that is a significant step down from what Stanford is getting from the Pac-12 this year, right?

In every bit of chaos there is opportunity but I haven't found it yet. This seems like a disaster all around for Stanford athletics.

In terms of how much stanford could get from streaming, it’s all about the marketplace.

Apple has indicated it was willing to pay money for pac-12 content, so we know they have the need and the money. With the pac-12 disintegrating, now what can apple+ buy? I could totally see an independent Stanford being the best fit, or maybe some combination. But it looks like Apple+ is willing to invest in new sports content, which is good news, because many (LIKE ESPN) are making cuts. The contract renewal came up at a terrible time. A few years ago streaming companies were outbidding each other like mad — Amazon ponied up $1B to put on the Lord of the Rings prequel, which was not very good. It is a much worse market now, but thankfully there is at least one extremely wealthy bidder in the market.

I subscribe to Apple+ (and netflix, amazon, hulu, disney, paramount, peacock and max) and I could see Stanford sports fitting Apple.

[Snorlax94]

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

In football:
- Secure some kind of streaming rights deal with Apple or Amazon or other streamer for $10-15 mil (thinking we could get half of what ND gets?)
- Aggressively pursue high-major road games with big payouts, and continue to compete at the highest possible level with Power Conference opponents (Depending on school, could be $1-4 million per game)
- Allows Stanford to maintain rivalries with USC, UCLA, Oregon, etc.

Basically, the ND model with lower expected payouts, but crucially maintaining a Power Conference program and national brand that allows football to continue supporting the other programs.

I think independent is better than the other options, but is it realistic? We have one tenth the fan base of ND, and while we may be tech savvy I don't see anybody offering us big money to stream Stanford football. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I have a hard time believing someone's going to pay $10m for rights to football. Even that is a significant step down from what Stanford is getting from the Pac-12 this year, right?

In every bit of chaos there is opportunity but I haven't found it yet. This seems like a disaster all around for Stanford athletics.

In terms of how much stanford could get from streaming, it’s all about the marketplace.

Apple has indicated it was willing to pay money for pac-12 content, so we know they have the need and the money. With the pac-12 disintegrating, now what can apple+ buy? I could totally see an independent Stanford being the best fit, or maybe some combination. But it looks like Apple+ is willing to invest in new sports content, which is good news, because many (LIKE ESPN) are making cuts. The contract renewal came up at a terrible time. A few years ago streaming companies were outbidding each other like mad — Amazon ponied up $1B to put on the Lord of the Rings prequel, which was not very good. It is a much worse market now, but thankfully there is at least one extremely wealthy bidder in the market.

I subscribe to Apple+ (and netflix, amazon, hulu, disney, paramount, peacock and max) and I could see Stanford sports fitting Apple.

[Softball Fan]

Being independent would be difficult for most of the Olympic sports.  Once conference schedules start how are these sports going to find opponents to play?  I doubt conferences will open spots up just so one of their member schools could play Stanford during the conference season.

I can see football and maybe MBB being independent, but for the other sports I can't see it.

At the moment I like approaching the ACC although that could change tomorrow.

The one optimistic factor for me if I understand correctly. There will be no Apple TV deal in place for the 2023/2024 season. That gives Stanford plenty of time to negotiate something without worrying about an exit fee. Give the B1G schools some time to digest all the changes and approach them in early 2024.


This was probably already posted somewhere. Utah, ASU, and Arizona to Big 12 conference will be approved within 24 hours.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/statu...8716892160

[Softball Fan]

Being independent would be difficult for most of the Olympic sports.  Once conference schedules start how are these sports going to find opponents to play?  I doubt conferences will open spots up just so one of their member schools could play Stanford during the conference season.

I can see football and maybe MBB being independent, but for the other sports I can't see it.

At the moment I like approaching the ACC although that could change tomorrow.

The one optimistic factor for me if I understand correctly. There will be no Apple TV deal in place for the 2023/2024 season. That gives Stanford plenty of time to negotiate something without worrying about an exit fee. Give the B1G schools some time to digest all the changes and approach them in early 2024.


This was probably already posted somewhere. Utah, ASU, and Arizona to Big 12 conference will be approved within 24 hours.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/statu...8716892160

[Leftcoast]

Even Notre Dame couldn't navigate being an independent in sports other than Football.  All other sports have been in a conference since 1982. 

I hope Stanford makes their conference decision with all sports in mind and doesn't sub-optimize around football.  Sub-optimization is a tell-tale sign of a disfunctional organization and is what I'd expect from decision making within the USC Athletic Department but not Stanford.

[Leftcoast]

Even Notre Dame couldn't navigate being an independent in sports other than Football.  All other sports have been in a conference since 1982. 

I hope Stanford makes their conference decision with all sports in mind and doesn't sub-optimize around football.  Sub-optimization is a tell-tale sign of a disfunctional organization and is what I'd expect from decision making within the USC Athletic Department but not Stanford.

[jacket3ree]

Independence is death, or worse, near death.  (I've seen that movie.)

At this point screw the Grande Veinte.  I hope the dipshits in LA rue the day that stabbed the entire West Coast in the back. And the four corner schools will not be missed.  Cool place to stand though.  Instead of growing backbones and finding a real commish, let's just subjugate ourselves to midwestern overlords. OK. (And I wanted to join the B1G.  By the way Tech turned down a real invitation ten years ago because their at the time All-Big 8 receiver president felt no one wanted to road trip to West Lafayette.) 

Go for a bicoastal conference and bring the Jackets west on the regular!

And To Hell with Georgia!  This has to be their fault somehow.

---

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

I've always been curious how Gonzaga does it without football, but then realize you never hear about them in anything other than basketball.

WCC is made up of small Catholic colleges and universities and BYU.  Works for them; I don't know how Stanford as a graduate-focused research university fits that mold. Or maybe nothing matters now.

Unfortunately Stanford just doesn't have the football juice to survive as an independent.  Absent fans showing out for Rose Bowls, it seems no one cares.  You can't barely fill half of a small stadium and expect to be ND lite.

[jacket3ree]

Independence is death, or worse, near death.  (I've seen that movie.)

At this point screw the Grande Veinte.  I hope the dipshits in LA rue the day that stabbed the entire West Coast in the back. And the four corner schools will not be missed.  Cool place to stand though.  Instead of growing backbones and finding a real commish, let's just subjugate ourselves to midwestern overlords. OK. (And I wanted to join the B1G.  By the way Tech turned down a real invitation ten years ago because their at the time All-Big 8 receiver president felt no one wanted to road trip to West Lafayette.) 

Go for a bicoastal conference and bring the Jackets west on the regular!

And To Hell with Georgia!  This has to be their fault somehow.

---

Short of a miraculous Big Ten life raft, best way forward has to be Independent in football, and then WCC in everything else, right?

I've always been curious how Gonzaga does it without football, but then realize you never hear about them in anything other than basketball.

WCC is made up of small Catholic colleges and universities and BYU.  Works for them; I don't know how Stanford as a graduate-focused research university fits that mold. Or maybe nothing matters now.

Unfortunately Stanford just doesn't have the football juice to survive as an independent.  Absent fans showing out for Rose Bowls, it seems no one cares.  You can't barely fill half of a small stadium and expect to be ND lite.

[CardinalSagehen]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

[CardinalSagehen]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

[Snorlax94]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

In terms of doing what is right for student athletes, the Big 10 should have west coast pod, which should reduce travel. Big 12 means all travel, unlike the Mountain West, which, though poorer, is at least closer.

Is there any chance they can build a new Pac 8? The remaining Pac 4 plus SD State, Fresno State, San Jose State and one more.

[Snorlax94]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

In terms of doing what is right for student athletes, the Big 10 should have west coast pod, which should reduce travel. Big 12 means all travel, unlike the Mountain West, which, though poorer, is at least closer.

Is there any chance they can build a new Pac 8? The remaining Pac 4 plus SD State, Fresno State, San Jose State and one more.

[Leftcoast]

Ok ...  Thinking THAT one through here's your 2025 home Football schedule:

San Jose State
Wa State
Oregon State
Fresno State

We would play San Diego State, Cal, and a school to be named later away.

Are you buying season tickets? 

It's not all bad. Good news .... I can arrive late, no traffic, tailgate next to my entrance, pay for end zone seats and move to the 50 yard line. I'll get a private concert from the band. "All Right Now!" The Fresno Fan sitting next to me might get a little obnoxious though. Bad news ... When we're NOT playing Fresno or the Cougs there won't be much red in the stadium.

(Not to mention what that schedule does to every other sport.  Can Tara or Hambly get their team's ready for the NCAA tournament with that schedule?)

[Leftcoast]

Ok ...  Thinking THAT one through here's your 2025 home Football schedule:

San Jose State
Wa State
Oregon State
Fresno State

We would play San Diego State, Cal, and a school to be named later away.

Are you buying season tickets? 

It's not all bad. Good news .... I can arrive late, no traffic, tailgate next to my entrance, pay for end zone seats and move to the 50 yard line. I'll get a private concert from the band. "All Right Now!" The Fresno Fan sitting next to me might get a little obnoxious though. Bad news ... When we're NOT playing Fresno or the Cougs there won't be much red in the stadium.

(Not to mention what that schedule does to every other sport.  Can Tara or Hambly get their team's ready for the NCAA tournament with that schedule?)

[norcard10]

Can someone explain succintly why Stanford joining the Big10 is out of the cards for now?

[norcard10]

Can someone explain succintly why Stanford joining the Big10 is out of the cards for now?

[Softball Fan]

San Jose State
Wa State
Oregon State
Fresno State
We would play San Diego State, Cal, and a school to be named later away.

(Not to mention what that schedule does to every other sport.  Can Tara or Hambly get their team's ready for the NCAA tournament with that schedule?)

No but Stanford WVB would have a reasonable chance of winning the conference every year.  The big challenge would be recruiting elite players.  The best players want to play against the best players.

[Softball Fan]

San Jose State
Wa State
Oregon State
Fresno State
We would play San Diego State, Cal, and a school to be named later away.

(Not to mention what that schedule does to every other sport.  Can Tara or Hambly get their team's ready for the NCAA tournament with that schedule?)

No but Stanford WVB would have a reasonable chance of winning the conference every year.  The big challenge would be recruiting elite players.  The best players want to play against the best players.

[French Rage]

If geography is apparently no longer a constraint, I say we join the Bundesliga.

[French Rage]

If geography is apparently no longer a constraint, I say we join the Bundesliga.

[CardinalSagehen]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

In terms of doing what is right for student athletes, the Big 10 should have west coast pod, which should reduce travel. Big 12 means all travel, unlike the Mountain West, which, though poorer, is at least closer.

I think this point is being overblown.  The new Big 10 has 4 schools within two hours.  The new Big 12 has five schools within two hours. 

When you go beyond those two-hour flights, the rest of the Big 12 is, on average, closer to Stanford than most of the Big 10.   

I will grant that the MW teams are closer, but I think people are missing the point that the Big 12 now has a Western wing, too.

[CardinalSagehen]

In the poll responses, I notice a significant aversion to the Big 12, even though all of the teams with TV audiences similar to Stanford are ending up there.  Economically, the $31M per team ballpark might be the most appropriate landing spot for Stanford.  With respect to travel, four of the members and soon-to-be-members were former Pac-12 foes anyway, and a fifth was on Stanford's schedule last year (BYU).  

To be clear, I didn't vote for the Big 12, either.  I preferred independent and Big 10.  I just think it's odd that the Mountain West outranks the Big 12 in the poll because it would represent a much worse financial and competitive outcome.  Travel for student-athletes would be worse but not really materially worse in the Big 12 vs. the MW or the Pac/MW/AAC amalgam - it's bad either way.

In terms of doing what is right for student athletes, the Big 10 should have west coast pod, which should reduce travel. Big 12 means all travel, unlike the Mountain West, which, though poorer, is at least closer.

I think this point is being overblown.  The new Big 10 has 4 schools within two hours.  The new Big 12 has five schools within two hours. 

When you go beyond those two-hour flights, the rest of the Big 12 is, on average, closer to Stanford than most of the Big 10.   

I will grant that the MW teams are closer, but I think people are missing the point that the Big 12 now has a Western wing, too.