[old spanish trail]

How far should Stanford go to secure a big 10 spot?

If we offer to take a 10% revenue split increasing annually by 10% until full share does that move the needle? It's embarrassing to prostrate ourselves like that, but still is probably a better alternative then going independent or staying in the carcass of the pac. We also have the financials to take a short term loss to secure a long term future.

The financials are an interesting question/issue, I agree with you that Stanford has the financials to make it work, but that assumes competent financial management.

It also assumes the Big-10 is in a position to accept any more new members. I believe the absorption of the two planned new members and the two "hasty applicants" is going to strain quite a few resources and may well take a while (a few years) to work out. It also may not work out "well", and the Big-10 has to allow for that eventuality. For these reasons, I don't think Stanford has any shot at joining for the 2024 season. That may be fine, and it may be important to start negotiating now, but I think it unwise to assume that Stanford is actually "wanted" and that such negotiations will succeed. A Plan B and a Plan C need to be crafted, because uncertainty is going to persist for a while in college football.

Last eve, an old friend in Memphis, who is a gigantic Tenn fan and gigantic sports fan in general, texted me re his disappointment over the recent developments. He has always admired Stanford from afar and hoped his kids would be interested in attending. I replied that it's a sad day when the winner of more national championships by far than any other school is left standing at the starting gate. He replied, "what a great stat. I didn't know that." If he doesn't know that, nobody does.

Yesterday Sports Center noted that Stanford "has the most dynamic sports program top to bottom in the country." But, nobody knows. I've always thought Stanford a bit shy about promoting its superior program and it has come back to bite. Nobody likes a braggadocio, but silence is not a good option.

I know money is the driver, but why wouldn't the Big presidents want to claim the most prestigious univ in big time sports, which also happens to be the overall c'ship winner as one of its own.

[old spanish trail]

How far should Stanford go to secure a big 10 spot?

If we offer to take a 10% revenue split increasing annually by 10% until full share does that move the needle? It's embarrassing to prostrate ourselves like that, but still is probably a better alternative then going independent or staying in the carcass of the pac. We also have the financials to take a short term loss to secure a long term future.

The financials are an interesting question/issue, I agree with you that Stanford has the financials to make it work, but that assumes competent financial management.

It also assumes the Big-10 is in a position to accept any more new members. I believe the absorption of the two planned new members and the two "hasty applicants" is going to strain quite a few resources and may well take a while (a few years) to work out. It also may not work out "well", and the Big-10 has to allow for that eventuality. For these reasons, I don't think Stanford has any shot at joining for the 2024 season. That may be fine, and it may be important to start negotiating now, but I think it unwise to assume that Stanford is actually "wanted" and that such negotiations will succeed. A Plan B and a Plan C need to be crafted, because uncertainty is going to persist for a while in college football.

Last eve, an old friend in Memphis, who is a gigantic Tenn fan and gigantic sports fan in general, texted me re his disappointment over the recent developments. He has always admired Stanford from afar and hoped his kids would be interested in attending. I replied that it's a sad day when the winner of more national championships by far than any other school is left standing at the starting gate. He replied, "what a great stat. I didn't know that." If he doesn't know that, nobody does.

Yesterday Sports Center noted that Stanford "has the most dynamic sports program top to bottom in the country." But, nobody knows. I've always thought Stanford a bit shy about promoting its superior program and it has come back to bite. Nobody likes a braggadocio, but silence is not a good option.

I know money is the driver, but why wouldn't the Big presidents want to claim the most prestigious univ in big time sports, which also happens to be the overall c'ship winner as one of its own.