commissioner Jim Delany has never shied away from monumental moves

Notre Dame's appeal already grabs the New York City market without bringing in a weak sister such as Rutgers, as was previously floated.

SportsAndLady;895698 wrote:Haha no argument from me...I'm not pretending to believe Rutgers is a powerhouse

Crimson streak;895741 wrote:If the super conferences happen and they do break away from the NCAA Notre dame will definitely join the big 10. It would be impossible for nd to stay independent

Big Ten officials met today to discuss how the conference could and should accommodate both Texas and ND. In short, the conference believes that the membership of each school can be accomplished largely within the context of the terms presented. Some other interesting developments have taken place in the last few days.

Over the weekend, a new group of Texas stakeholders made a very aggressive push to the Big Ten conference to invite UT to the conference in the short term. The scenario proposed would involve the start of athletic competition in the conference by UT as early as 2012. This group did include official representatives of the university, along with other influential boosters. In response, the conference expressed the need to speak with only one consistent, designated group of UT representatives.

Separately, the more familiar UT representatives, who have conducted conversations with the Big Ten in the past, reaffirmed the approach that Texas should not initiate the breakup of the Big XII conference in order to join the Big Ten for political considerations. These representatives once again stated to conference officials that membership in the Big Ten conference (in accord with the terms presented last week) remains Texas' preferred conference affiliation option. The Big Ten also strongly impressed upon this group of UT representatives the need for university representatives to conduct conversations with the conference in one unified voice.

However, in discussions related to the terms presented, the Big Ten responded favorably. The Big Ten is preliminarily in agreement, particularly with the scheduling considerations and the "approximate" target date of 2014 for affiliation. The conference also strongly affirmed that it will not allow third parties, especially third party television networks not controlled by the conference or the universities, to dictate or strongly influence the terms of membership in the conference for either school. The conference expressed its displeasure with the manipulative reporting disseminated by certain television networks.

Conference officials believe that significant potential synergies exist between the Longhorn Network and the Big Ten Network. The officials expressed the belief that all of the expanded conference's stakeholders can achieve this potential with greatly reduced third party network involvement. Each network would gain significant opportunities to independently grow and expand together, under the control of the Big Ten Conference and its expanded institutional membership (and specifically NOT through control delegated to third party television networks). The super network that would result from this affiliation could dictate the terms of viewership in a way that ultimately benefits the mission of the expanded conference and its schools, along with their supporters. The Big Ten will remain open to any arrangement, including the formation of regionalized "Big Ten Networks," that ultimately achieve this goal.

Big Ten officials initiated conversations with Notre Dame stakeholders to keep them apprised of the discussions with both groups of Texas representatives.

Also over the weekend, a group of representatives from the University of Oklahoma again contacted the Big Ten regarding the potential for their own membership in the conference, in what was characterized as a "last ditch effort." The Big Ten once again respectfully informed that group that the Council of Presidents and Chancellors has already ruled out the addition of either Oklahoma school, primarily over concerns related to academic fit within the conference.

FatHobbit;895746 wrote:Why does everyone always assume they will join the B1G and not a different conference?

krambman;895732 wrote:Correct. Your argument has always been that Rutgers in the B1G would get the BTN on TV in New York and New Jersey, regardless of how good they are as a program or how big their fan base. The article is correct, though, that Notre Dame could get the BTN on TV in New York.

karen lotz;895753 wrote:It would be the best fit for both Notre Dame and the Big Ten. Its no secret that the Big Ten has wanted them to join every time expansion comes up.

FatHobbit;895848 wrote:I know the B1G has always wanted them, but why would Notre Dame pick them? Shouldn't they look at all the conferences and see where they fit in best? (I'm sure someone smarter than me at Notre Dame can figure out where they belong and if that is or isn't in the B1G)

krambman;895869 wrote:While adding Texas and Notre Dame to the B1G would be great, both school would have to overcome the obstacle of already having their own television network (LHN and NBC respectively) before being able to join. These TV contracts, more than anything, would hinder this from potentially becoming a reality.

karen lotz;895877 wrote:Wasn't there something released last week that said there were already plans in the works to allow both schools to finish out their current contracts while at the same time joining the conference?

karen lotz;895919 wrote:There was something about the LHN turning into a regional ESPN channel our something along those lines. Don't remember the particulars.

Little Danny;895863 wrote:First let me state everything I have ever heard from ND people is that they have the greatest desire to remain independent.

People in the Midwest assume Notre Dame is the logical fit for them for geographical reasons. However, if you ever read the Notre Dame boards, many posters state if they were to ever endorse moving to a conference, the B1G would not be the first choice. They cite the B10's rejections early in the 20th century and alleged catholic bias. I have also read that they would prefer to be an eastern conference (the ACC or BE) due to a large number of alumni who live on the east coast.

As far as Texas is concerned, they have already single-handedly destroyed three conferences they have been in before. I would not want to touch them with a ten foot pool.

Little Danny;895863 wrote:As far as Texas is concerned, they have already single-handedly destroyed three conferences they have been in before. I would not want to touch them with a ten foot pool.