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MEGA Conference Realignment and lawsuits Megathread: Stories, Tales, Lies, and Exaggerations



TL;DW version:

Even if UNC, UVA, FSU and Clemson are targets Nos. 17-20 for the SEC (which ESPN's Pete Thamel very much implied on a GameDay podcast back in December 2023), Miami is in good shape to land a spot in the B1G in conjunction with another ACC school:

Miami/ND
or
Miami/FSU
or
Miami/Duke
or
Miami/Georgia Tech

I'd say one issue is that both Duke (College Basketball's No. 1 brand) and Georgia Tech (ground zero for the SEC) are very much on Sankey's radar (along with NCSU and VT imo). When Thamel says the "SEC doesn't want the Big Ten to come into their region" we might should believe him.

The B1G ain't landing Duke or Georgia Tech if they've got SEC offers on the table and UNC and UVA are already in Sankey's net.

So who is Miami's "moving partner" at that point since the FSU to B1G talk is just a smokescreen?

Would the B1G invite a school from the Southeastern region without another of its campuses within 1,000 miles — and four (for now) a 6-hour or so flight away? I'll say yes because the B1G needs impactful football brands more than does the SEC.

And would Sankey take UM (despite our "fit" issues) just to lock out the BIG out of this part of the country? Pretty skeptical on that move, but maybe (hopefully!) so
 

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CaneinBroward said:
You gave a detailed response as to USC is across the street from the Coliseum, they spent money on renovations, etc. seemingly to explain why USC fit the B1G mold. I'm asking if having an on-campus stadium is seemingly a requirement for B1G membership, how does UCLA get around that requirement?
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1) UCLA is arguably the best public university in the country

2) The Rose Bowl is arguably the most iconic stadium in College Football

3) Greater LA market (12.9M) is about twice as populous as SoFla (6.5M)

4) B1G brought in USC-UCLA as a pair, same way with UW-Oregon and (soon enough) Cal-Stanford

CaneinBroward said:
Frankly, I think Miami could play their games at InterMiami's stadium in Ft. Lauderdale and the B1G would welcome them with open arms if Miami brings enough eyeballs to the TVs and bring in more money for the group as a whole.
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FOX and its friends at CBS and NBC most certainly would.

Not sure how the B1G commissioner or the AD's at schools like Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State and other football-first schools would feel about a 21,000-seat stadium.

I know people like to say TV runs realigment, which quite likely is the case below the top two conferences.

But I don't think SEC/B1G school administrators and conference commissioners who answer to those administrators are making long-term decisions strictly at the behest of their current media partners.

They could easily be telling ESPN or FOX to kick rocks in a few years when somebody with deeper pockets comes along
 
But I don't think SEC/B1G school administrators and conference commissioners who answer to those administrators are making long-term decisions strictly at the behest of their current media partners.

They could easily be telling ESPN or FOX to kick rocks in a few years when somebody with deeper pockets comes along
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I agree decisions are not made "strictly" at the behest of their current media partners. Rather, it's the predominant reason for how most people and organizations make decisions - what brings in the most of the almighty $$$ and the 2nd most popular reason - power. Do you think USC and UCLA were brought up as possible additions to the B1G organically? They just decided, hey PAC12, it's been a great 80 year relationship, but ***** that, USC and UCLA will just add so much to our conference academically?

If the B1G thinks the addition of Miami brings in more money and adds to their power in this and future TV deals, they will be brought in. I just don't see where Miami plays its home games as a deterrent at all since it let in UCLA in particular. And yes, I was being facetious about the InterMiami stadium being used, but some on here seem to think that is what Hard Rock is - a 21,000 seat soccer stadium instead of a 65,000 seat stadium good enough for Super Bowls, National Championship games, and Orange Bowls.
 
CaneinBroward said:
But I don't think SEC/B1G school administrators and conference commissioners who answer to those administrators are making long-term decisions strictly at the behest of their current media partners.

They could easily be telling ESPN or FOX to kick rocks in a few years when somebody with deeper pockets comes along
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I agree decisions are not made "strictly" at the behest of their current media partners. Rather, it's the predominant reason for how most people and organizations make decisions - what brings in the most of the almighty $$$ and the 2nd most popular reason - power. Do you think USC and UCLA were brought up as possible additions to the B1G organically? They just decided, hey PAC12, it's been a great 80 year relationship, but ***** that, USC and UCLA will just add so much to our conference academically?

If the B1G thinks the addition of Miami brings in more money and adds to their power in this and future TV deals, they will be brought in. I just don't see where Miami plays its home games as a deterrent at all since it let in UCLA in particular. And yes, I was being facetious about the InterMiami stadium being used, but some on here seem to think that is what Hard Rock is - a 21,000 seat soccer stadium instead of a 65,000 seat stadium good enough for Super Bowls, National Championship games, and Orange Bowls.
[/QUOTE]
I don't believe the "stadium issue" in the eyes of many people living in the Midwest and other "detractors" of the program is so much the "venue" but rather the impression that Miami doesn't or will not fill the stadium, "unless it is on campus". Some misguided idea that Miami needs an "on campus (or close by) for it to somehow miraculously be filled by the 12,000 student under grad student body. Hard Rock is an amazing stadium for Miami and big games ... Aug. 31st that place will rock and it is absolutely a home field advantage ... same for the Gators game and realistically any conference game. That stadium with 50,000 fans in it is LOUD. The parking area / tailgating is a pain in the *** due to the F1 racing garages that are permanent and fenced off ... but the stadium environment for the games is outstanding.
 
RF-4CCane said:
Playing devils advocate…

UM’s brand during our glory years has been come to UM, get drafted in the NFL. What better way to showcase that to recruits than to take them to JRS and let them see they will be playing their home games in an NFL stadium.

Secondly, I hate those spread out stadiums like Michigan and LA Coliseum. You can have 100,000 in attendance and the DB level will never match the OB or JRS with its new seating coverage. If you want that 12th man in big games, you want it loud.
There was a Dolphin game back around 1980 when the Eagles were going to the Super Bowl. Monday night game iirc. The fans were so loud, the refs had to stop the game three times and ask Shula to ask the fans to quiet down. This was before silent counts came into being. The point is, a loud stadium is a distinct advantage and though JRS doesn’t get as loud as the OB due to the concrete floors, its louder than the vast majority of college stadiums.
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Point taken and I agree, but even with the renovations, the seats at HRS are still super spread out and far. It’s a massive stadium so everyone feels pretty distant, and the upper deck is still way up there. The roof definitely helps though. There wasn’t a bad seat at the OB.
 
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Hurracanes said:
Point taken and I agree, but even with the renovations, the seats at HRS are still super spread out and far. It’s a massive stadium so everyone feels pretty distant, and the upper deck is still way up there. The roof definitely helps though. There wasn’t a bad seat at the OB.
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Best spot to sit at HRS? Obviously the club level, but beyond that, what do you think is the best spot to watch a game?
 
Hurracanes said:
Point taken and I agree, but even with the renovations, the seats at HRS are still super spread out and far. It’s a massive stadium so everyone feels pretty distant, and the upper deck is still way up there. The roof definitely helps though. There wasn’t a bad seat at the OB.
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Unless you got stuck behind one of the steel girders lol. Watched the Washington revenge night game with a partially obstructed view. It was still an electric night!
 
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Hold My Beer said:


TL;DW version:

Even if UNC, UVA, FSU and Clemson are targets Nos. 17-20 for the SEC (which ESPN's Pete Thamel very much implied on a GameDay podcast back in December 2023), Miami is in good shape to land a spot in the B1G in conjunction with another ACC school:

Miami/ND
or
Miami/FSU
or
Miami/Duke
or
Miami/Georgia Tech

I'd say one issue is that both Duke (College Basketball's No. 1 brand) and Georgia Tech (ground zero for the SEC) are very much on Sankey's radar (along with NCSU and VT imo). When Thamel says the "SEC doesn't want the Big Ten to come into their region" we might should believe him.

The B1G ain't landing Duke or Georgia Tech if they've got SEC offers on the table and UNC and UVA are already in Sankey's net.

So who is Miami's "moving partner" at that point since the FSU to B1G talk is just a smokescreen?

Would the B1G invite a school from the Southeastern region without another of its campuses within 1,000 miles — and four (for now) a 6-hour or so flight away? I'll say yes because the B1G needs impactful football brands more than does the SEC.

And would Sankey take UM (despite our "fit" issues) just to lock out the BIG out of this part of the country? Pretty skeptical on that move, but maybe (hopefully!) so
Click to expand...

I'm not sure the SEC takes all those schools. In an aggressive scenario, I suspect it goes like this with the SEC going to 20 and BIG to 24.

SEC: Stays Regional

- Florida State (gets their choice, goes SEC)
- Clemson (Follows FSU)
- NC (the prize, Sankey finds a way)
- V Tech (UVA isn't going SEC)

BIG: Finally goes National
- Miami (Florida Anchor, Research, SE block)
- Georgia Tech (Academics, SE block)
- Virginia (Academics, Southeast block)
- Stanford (Academics, fills out west coast)
- California (Academics, fills out west coast)
- Notre Dame (finally joins)
 
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SyracuseMiami said:
When you really think objectively, Miami should have much of what the BIG is looking for in a school. The knocks on Miami don't add up.

- Eyeballs on TV: UM was top 3 in the ACC
- Miami is Private: so was USC
- FSU has a health network: so does Miami
- Need AAU: We got it
- Miami doesn't have an on campus stadium: Neither does USC and UCLA
- USC has athletic success and football championships: So does Miami.
- PAC 4 schools brought TV markets: So does Miami.

Miami has a passionate national fan base that would bring a lot to a BIG conference that would have a national footprint. We also bring a hotbed recruiting ground, and a destination for fans.

This narrative that Miami has all these gaps just doesn't pan out when you put pen to paper. Miami is probably one of the strongest candidates available outside of FSU and UNC.
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Being real usc at coliseum is as close as circle k is to Miami campus baseball stadium
 
RF-4CCane said:
You do know the SEC offered us and FSU years ago and ended up taking SC and Arkansas when both of us declined. Not to mention, Vandy is small and private.
UM also has one of the largest TV markets in the SEC traditional footprint.
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In 1991, SEC offered FSU & Texas, not Miami,, 1st time SEC, ever made an offer to Univerities to join.
Previous, A School had to have a SEC school sponsor them, the SEC schools then voted.

FSU was sponsored by UF, about 6 times in late 50s To 1960 or so.
Noles were rejected each time..
 
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SyracuseMiami said:
I'm not sure the SEC takes all those schools. In an aggressive scenario, I suspect it goes like this with the SEC going to 20 and BIG to 24.

SEC: Stays Regional

- Florida State (gets their choice, goes SEC)
- Clemson (Follows FSU)
- NC (the prize, Sankey finds a way)
- V Tech (UVA isn't going SEC)

BIG: Finally goes National
- Miami (Florida Anchor, Research, SE block)
- Georgia Tech (Academics, SE block)
- Virginia (Academics, Southeast block)
- Stanford (Academics, fills out west coast)
- California (Academics, fills out west coast)
- Notre Dame (finally joins)
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Gonna be interesting to watch it play out. I believe we'll get the first "we're leaving the ACC announcements" no later than Summer 2026

Agree with you on FSU/Clemson/UNC and VA Tech to the SEC as well as UM, Stanford, Cal and the Leprechauns to the B1G.

Still sticking with my predictions of GA Tech and UVA (along with NC State and Duke to the SEC). I think Sankey is and will be willing to double down on the states of North Carolina and Virginia when the time comes.

I get the notion UVA's administration, faculty and some donors would prefer the "academic prestige" of the B1G, but I think it'll be the big money athletic boosters carrying the biggest stick in this decision. And those mostly middle-aged and up white guys from "Ole Virginny" (and not the DC suburbs west of the Potomac River) are gonna push to be with UNC (and ultimately Duke, GA Tech and VA Tech as well).

We shall see
 
3GC said:
In 1991, SEC offered FSU & Texas, not Miami,, 1st time SEC, ever made an offer to Univerities to join.
Previous, A School had to have a SEC school sponsor them, the SEC schools then voted.

FSU was sponsored by UF, about 6 times in late 50s To 1960 or so.
Noles were rejected each time..
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Disagree.

www.secsports.com

30 years ago: How May of 1990 reshaped the SEC - Southeastern Conference

On January 10, 1990, the SEC hired its sixth commissioner when Roy Kramer joined the SEC and initiated what would become a historically defining 24-month span.
www.secsports.com www.secsports.com

“No invitations were extended. The “SEC simply announced that it intended to expand and should any schools around the country have an interest in being part of that expansion, they should reach out.“


open.substack.com

Recalling the SEC/ACC Expansion Drama of 1990

South Carolina, Florida State, and Miami played a high-stakes game of musical chairs thirty-tree years ago this summer
open.substack.com open.substack.com

“Meanwhile, on May 29, 1990, SEC presidents gave unanimous approval to expansion at the league’s spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Four teams, FSU, Miami, Arkansas and South Carolina were reported to be the top candidates.“
 
Hold My Beer said:
The LA Coliseum is the next block over from USC's campus, not 20-something miles away like Joe Robbie Stadium or the Rose Bowl

The Coliseum is owned by the state, county and city, but the school took over the lease and footed the bill for a $270M renovation project in 2019. Needless to say, it fits USC's brand and traditions better than JRS does ours

View attachment 322157View attachment 322158
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It’s essentially on campus. You just cross the street.
 
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