[MarinCard]

John Canzano and John Wilner recorded an interview with Commissioner Kliavkoff for their new podcast (a must-listen for anyone who cares about the Pac 12 with more than a passing interest). 

Some notes:

- It definitely sounds like the conference is working in consort with the UC regents to keep UCLA in the fold. GK went so far as to say they've done modeling that the B1G move would generate a net loss for the Bruins, even though top-line revenue would dramatically increase. Watch this space.
- No definitive update on media rights deal, but sounds like we're closer to the end than the beginning. Conference trying to balance revenue and distribution (e.g. maybe not maxing out money they could get from a streamer like Apple TV+ or Amazon in service of staying somewhat prominent on linear TV). Also asking for versions of deals that include UCLA, per first bullet. (Had been reported before, but not confirmed by on-record principals.)
- GK is steadfast that no one else in the conference is leaving as long as the membership is presented with an acceptable media rights package. (What else is he supposed to say?)

Worth a listen.

[MarinCard]

John Canzano and John Wilner recorded an interview with Commissioner Kliavkoff for their new podcast (a must-listen for anyone who cares about the Pac 12 with more than a passing interest). 

Some notes:

- It definitely sounds like the conference is working in consort with the UC regents to keep UCLA in the fold. GK went so far as to say they've done modeling that the B1G move would generate a net loss for the Bruins, even though top-line revenue would dramatically increase. Watch this space.
- No definitive update on media rights deal, but sounds like we're closer to the end than the beginning. Conference trying to balance revenue and distribution (e.g. maybe not maxing out money they could get from a streamer like Apple TV+ or Amazon in service of staying somewhat prominent on linear TV). Also asking for versions of deals that include UCLA, per first bullet. (Had been reported before, but not confirmed by on-record principals.)
- GK is steadfast that no one else in the conference is leaving as long as the membership is presented with an acceptable media rights package. (What else is he supposed to say?)

Worth a listen.

[OutsiderFan]

Just piecing some things together, it seemed to me the chances of UCLA being blocked or otherwise not going to the B1G were a lot bigger than most people thought could possibly be the case. The fact the Pac is seeing rights deals that include UCLA is kind of remarkable, and is the best evidence yet the Bruins staying in the Pac is a real possibility.

Poor USC if true.  I say that with tongue firmly planted to cheek, but seriously, if UCLA doesn't go, the west coast relevance of the conference is intact in a way that BiG certainly did not want to be the case.  USC may be the big dog, but if it is in a conference that has Iowa and Nebraska, while UCLA is in one with Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, its relevance on the west coast will take a hit. That may not mean anything for media rights bean counters, but it will for high school athletes who prefer to stay close to home and not face dreadful travel obligations.

[OutsiderFan]

Just piecing some things together, it seemed to me the chances of UCLA being blocked or otherwise not going to the B1G were a lot bigger than most people thought could possibly be the case. The fact the Pac is seeing rights deals that include UCLA is kind of remarkable, and is the best evidence yet the Bruins staying in the Pac is a real possibility.

Poor USC if true.  I say that with tongue firmly planted to cheek, but seriously, if UCLA doesn't go, the west coast relevance of the conference is intact in a way that BiG certainly did not want to be the case.  USC may be the big dog, but if it is in a conference that has Iowa and Nebraska, while UCLA is in one with Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, its relevance on the west coast will take a hit. That may not mean anything for media rights bean counters, but it will for high school athletes who prefer to stay close to home and not face dreadful travel obligations.

[BostonCard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

[BostonCard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

[pcgoode]

Since UCLA and USC announced that they were leaving for the Big Ten expansion of the CFP from 4 to 12 teams now appears to be happening. I wonder how this figures into the equation.

[pcgoode]

Since UCLA and USC announced that they were leaving for the Big Ten expansion of the CFP from 4 to 12 teams now appears to be happening. I wonder how this figures into the equation.

[Jamesy]

Since UCLA and USC announced that they were leaving for the Big Ten expansion of the CFP from 4 to 12 teams now appears to be happening. I wonder how this figures into the equation.

I would think UCLA and especially USC would have a much better chance of making the CFP in the PAC-12 than in the B1G.

[Jamesy]

Since UCLA and USC announced that they were leaving for the Big Ten expansion of the CFP from 4 to 12 teams now appears to be happening. I wonder how this figures into the equation.

I would think UCLA and especially USC would have a much better chance of making the CFP in the PAC-12 than in the B1G.

[CTcard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

That would depend upon what their goal is for their athletics program. 

If the goal is to "be on the biggest stage", then they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 
If the goal is to maximize revenue, they they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 

If the goal is to provide a positive athletics experience to as many students as possible with some limit on individuals' academic collateral damage, then they should desire to be in the Pac 10/11/12. 

If the goal is to maximize net funds, then it is not at all clear. 

From their actions so far, it is pretty clear what the goals are for whomever has been making the decisions for the UCLA athletic department. 
Or perhaps they aren't very clear what their goals are, they're just jumping into the scramble (my guess as most likely). 

[I do wonder how most Maryland athletes really feel about the Big Ten vs ACC. Of course, the closest conference non-partner mate to Maryland is a 3.5 hour drive away. For UCLA it is a 22 hour drive.]

[CTcard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

That would depend upon what their goal is for their athletics program. 

If the goal is to "be on the biggest stage", then they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 
If the goal is to maximize revenue, they they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 

If the goal is to provide a positive athletics experience to as many students as possible with some limit on individuals' academic collateral damage, then they should desire to be in the Pac 10/11/12. 

If the goal is to maximize net funds, then it is not at all clear. 

From their actions so far, it is pretty clear what the goals are for whomever has been making the decisions for the UCLA athletic department. 
Or perhaps they aren't very clear what their goals are, they're just jumping into the scramble (my guess as most likely). 

[I do wonder how most Maryland athletes really feel about the Big Ten vs ACC. Of course, the closest conference non-partner mate to Maryland is a 3.5 hour drive away. For UCLA it is a 22 hour drive.]

[BostonCard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

If the goal is to "be on the biggest stage", then they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 
If the goal is to maximize revenue, they they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 

Revealed preferences suggest that for most athletics programs, those two (biggest stage and maximizing revenue) are the goals of most of the time.

BC

[BostonCard]

I could be wrong, but I think talk of UCLA staying in the conference is wishcasting. If I’m at UCLA, I see that the future of CFB is two super-conferences, the SEC and the B1G, and even if the the PAC-12 stays intact as the next tier with the ACC and Big-12, the pull towards being with the “big boys” is too intense.

BC

If the goal is to "be on the biggest stage", then they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 
If the goal is to maximize revenue, they they would desire to be in the Big Ten. 

Revealed preferences suggest that for most athletics programs, those two (biggest stage and maximizing revenue) are the goals of most of the time.

BC

[OutsiderFan]

It seems UCLA is not scheduled to get a full share of Big Ten revenue for some time.  Combined with penalties UC can impose on it, the financial upside might not be as great as was assumed.

It sort of feels like there are more forces at work trying to keep UCLA in the Pac than there are pulling it to the Big Ten. I'm not even sure the Big Ten would be that heart broken over losing UCLA if it has USC.

[OutsiderFan]

It seems UCLA is not scheduled to get a full share of Big Ten revenue for some time.  Combined with penalties UC can impose on it, the financial upside might not be as great as was assumed.

It sort of feels like there are more forces at work trying to keep UCLA in the Pac than there are pulling it to the Big Ten. I'm not even sure the Big Ten would be that heart broken over losing UCLA if it has USC.

[TooMuchTV]

It seems UCLA is not scheduled to get a full share of Big Ten revenue for some time.  Combined with penalties UC can impose on it, the financial upside might not be as great as was assumed.

It sort of feels like there are more forces at work trying to keep UCLA in the Pac than there are pulling it to the Big Ten. I'm not even sure the Big Ten would be that heart broken over losing UCLA if it has USC.

IIRC, the word was that USC and UCLA were to get full shares immediately. https://theathletic.com/3450372/2022/07/...a-big-ten/

[TooMuchTV]

It seems UCLA is not scheduled to get a full share of Big Ten revenue for some time.  Combined with penalties UC can impose on it, the financial upside might not be as great as was assumed.

It sort of feels like there are more forces at work trying to keep UCLA in the Pac than there are pulling it to the Big Ten. I'm not even sure the Big Ten would be that heart broken over losing UCLA if it has USC.

IIRC, the word was that USC and UCLA were to get full shares immediately. https://theathletic.com/3450372/2022/07/...a-big-ten/

[OutsiderFan]

Closed door meeting with the UC Regents today on UCLA leaving Pac and everybody is mum on what might happen.

[OutsiderFan]

Closed door meeting with the UC Regents today on UCLA leaving Pac and everybody is mum on what might happen.

[BostonCard]

Apparently Kliavkoff was asked to submit a comment, and what a self-serving pile of drivel (though true).

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ve-big-ten

Kliavkoff hasnt given any indication that he gives a fig about student athlete mental health, operational costs for schools, or climate goals (LOL).

BC

[BostonCard]

Apparently Kliavkoff was asked to submit a comment, and what a self-serving pile of drivel (though true).

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ve-big-ten

Kliavkoff hasnt given any indication that he gives a fig about student athlete mental health, operational costs for schools, or climate goals (LOL).

BC

[BostonCard]

Is the future the APAC-24?

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ons-merger

BC

[BostonCard]

Is the future the APAC-24?

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ons-merger

BC