[BigJohn043]

Stanford surely has the appeal to get an invite to one of the new super conferences, right?

Would we really turn it down?

I seriously doubt Stanford has the appeal to get an invite to the B1G, at least in the immediate future. If U$C and UCLA joining turns out to be geographically untenable, or if the B1G is trying to create a "national super conference" to rival the SEC (and look like the NFL), some other PAC-12 schools may get/be allowed to join. Stanford doesn't deliver the Bay Area television market. Stanford + Kal doesn't either. We don't draw big crowds and probably never will. I think Oregon is marginal at best because their State is just too small. Washington and Utah have larger TV markets in their immediate urban area. In the past, nobody took Utah seriously. Lots of reason to believe nobody will now. Under those constraints, I don't see an offer being extended. We don't get the chance to say "no" IMHO.

First I find it really hard to believe that USC/UCLA went if they were going to be the only west coast schools.  The travel is awful.  That works for football but is really bad for everything else.  So my guess is that they got assurances that more invites were coming.  FWIW, if asked I would guess that USC/UCLA would ask for Stanford/cal.  Easiest travel, lots of historic connections, etc.

But this whole thing is being driven by Fox.  What do they want, ratings.  The Bay Area media market is #6 in the country.  I don't either Stanford or cal "deliver" that, but it is a consideration for lots of reasons.

But what Fox really wants is teams that will get ratings.  Oregon is a small media market but people will tune in for Duck football.  They have been good for a long time.  They have the splashy unis.  etc.

UW at least has some history.  SEA is a big media market and they do bring that.  SEA is a big airport.  UO would probably want UW.

After that we are probably #3.  We have been relevant in football not that long ago.  We do bring the Bay Area tech whole thing.  That matters.  The minor sports success matters a bit.  And while Fox is driving the process, the B10 presidents are academics and wouldn't mind being associated with Stanford....

[BigJohn043]

Stanford surely has the appeal to get an invite to one of the new super conferences, right?

Would we really turn it down?

I seriously doubt Stanford has the appeal to get an invite to the B1G, at least in the immediate future. If U$C and UCLA joining turns out to be geographically untenable, or if the B1G is trying to create a "national super conference" to rival the SEC (and look like the NFL), some other PAC-12 schools may get/be allowed to join. Stanford doesn't deliver the Bay Area television market. Stanford + Kal doesn't either. We don't draw big crowds and probably never will. I think Oregon is marginal at best because their State is just too small. Washington and Utah have larger TV markets in their immediate urban area. In the past, nobody took Utah seriously. Lots of reason to believe nobody will now. Under those constraints, I don't see an offer being extended. We don't get the chance to say "no" IMHO.

First I find it really hard to believe that USC/UCLA went if they were going to be the only west coast schools.  The travel is awful.  That works for football but is really bad for everything else.  So my guess is that they got assurances that more invites were coming.  FWIW, if asked I would guess that USC/UCLA would ask for Stanford/cal.  Easiest travel, lots of historic connections, etc.

But this whole thing is being driven by Fox.  What do they want, ratings.  The Bay Area media market is #6 in the country.  I don't either Stanford or cal "deliver" that, but it is a consideration for lots of reasons.

But what Fox really wants is teams that will get ratings.  Oregon is a small media market but people will tune in for Duck football.  They have been good for a long time.  They have the splashy unis.  etc.

UW at least has some history.  SEA is a big media market and they do bring that.  SEA is a big airport.  UO would probably want UW.

After that we are probably #3.  We have been relevant in football not that long ago.  We do bring the Bay Area tech whole thing.  That matters.  The minor sports success matters a bit.  And while Fox is driving the process, the B10 presidents are academics and wouldn't mind being associated with Stanford....