I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens (if anything) on Thursday in terms of an announcement.

I can't see Pitt leaving the Big East in basketball. The Big10 might require they leave, but I just can't see it happening.

Kentucky would make sense in the Big Ten geographically and as an overall athletic program, it would be a quality addition. However, I just don't see them wanting to leave the revenue they get from the SEC and being able to promote themselves as an SEC football school. I actually think for other sports, they would be much better off, especially in basketball, baseball and a few others.

I thought Missouri made the most sense, but Pittsburgh is a solid choice. There were certainly many other "worse" choices in my eyes.

eersandbeers wrote: I can't see Pitt leaving the Big East in basketball. The Big10 might require they leave, but I just can't see it happening.

It would stink for them, but the chance to join the Big Ten, and call themselves on par with Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State would be worth losing basketball in the Big East. Besides, they would have a conference title game and a legit chance at a BCS title (if they had a perfect season). The chances they ever got one, even in the Big East, was minimal. Not to mention the HUGE upgrades in bowl tie-ins.

Pittsburgh basketball would also go from a top 6-8 program in the Big East to a top 3-4 program in the Big Ten.

Bottom line, Pittsburgh can't turn the invitation down, and it will certainly won't be a "football only" move as the Big Ten doesn't need to offer that to fill a 12th team.

The Big 10 actually has more gross revenue than ANY other conference and thus a good move for any University interested.

http://ncaabbs.com/printthread.php?tid=350645

ytownfootball wrote: The Big 10 actually has more gross revenue than ANY other conference and thus a good move for any University interested.

http://ncaabbs.com/printthread.php?tid=350645

Not to nitpick, but I believe this will change once the SEC/ESPN deal is fully integrated over the next decade.

205 million annually in revenue from TV alone.

It doesn't change the fact that Pittsburgh would be crazy to consider letting their basketball program's move affect their decision to join the Big Ten.

No Ohio State will be in the same division as UM. There is no way on earth they will make it possible for these two schools to play more than once in a season

Possibly, but an expanding Big 10 and the Big 10 Networks continued expansion along with it will make the gap a lot slimmer. Should ND be thrown in the mix (who knows) revenue would blow away everything else concievable. I wouldn't bet against it honestly.

But I agree Pitt is looking ahead and the move would be smart on their part.

When would Pitt officially join the Big 10 if this were to go down?

Does the Big 10 Network plan to expand to more markets? I don't see why it couldn't be picked up nationally, especially if they would change a lot of their programming. Doing this might change their original goal of covering all sports and providing in-depth conference coverage.

Azubuike24 wrote:

eersandbeers wrote: I can't see Pitt leaving the Big East in basketball. The Big10 might require they leave, but I just can't see it happening.

Pittsburgh basketball would also go from a top 6-8 program in the Big East to a top 3-4 program in the Big Ten.

LOL what are you smoking. They are a top 3 program in the Big East and would be tied with Michigan State for the top program in the Big 10 for basketball

Honestly I'm not sure, I know they've expanded to other markets recently and revenue has been up (from what I remember-I'd have to look it up for certainty). I'm sure their goal is to expand their market share. Their programming is all inclusive which does promote a viewership issue, however much of the lesser viewed events are aired at later time slots which is a step in the right direction imo.

If you take Pittsburgh basketball, historically, they are NOT in the top 3 in the Big East. In the past 5-8 years, they are, but not overall.

The point is, they would be more prominent in the Big Ten in basketball than in the Big East.

I'm very interested to see what direction the Big East goes, they're scrambling certainly and this hurts them in every aspect of their conference, football and basketball in prticular.

What they are trying to do with this alliance with MWAC and sending the winner as the Big East rep (if true) should be fun to watch.

whoever wins the the OSU/UM game has bragging rights for the next full year.

It should never be made so that it's bragging rights for 7 days and then the loser has a second shot

Can I ask why fans care about media markets and revenue? None of these schools are hurting for money, and you aren't going to see any windfall from more money, unless of course you work for their athletic department.

this is not going to happen.

in one months time the big ten conference has ran through every scenario, conducted extensive research, and RECIEVED APPROVAL from every member school?

yeah, i dont think so, the bleacher report is garbage.

rocket31 wrote: this is not going to happen.

in one months time the big ten conference has ran through every scenario, conducted extensive research, and GOT APPROVAL from every member school?

yeah, i dont think so, the bleacher report is garbage.

This is assuming that the Big Ten just started doing all of the above 1 month ago, right? I think the Big Ten has been researching this for a lot longer than one month and has been going through the process slowly to find the best fit.

With that said, I don't put much weight(if any) into an article from the bleacher report. It's a blog, and that makes it about as worthy as what you and I say on a day to day basis.

Notre Dame won't join the Big Ten. too much money to be lost at stake for them with a national tv deal and all for football. I'm sure the Big Ten won't let them pull the same arrangement they have in the Big East with their other sports.

Delany will end up stacking one division if the Big Ten goes to 12 teams and for Buckeye fans it'll be a tough road to get to a title game every year. You can count on it.

vball10set wrote: OSU & UM can be in different divisions,but still play the last game of the year,ala UT & BG in the MAC...it's just a matter of the schedule makers making it happen

btw,I like the addition--I'd rather it be ND,but that's a moot point

Agree. Assuming this is true, Pitt would be a solid addition for all sports... not world beaters but they will make noise. A little surprised they didn't got for someone that would expand the market further though instead of a school in between OSU and PSU.

I doubt they split up Ohio State and Michigan simply based on how stubborn the Big Ten is when it comes to changing things (I still can't believe they actually are bothering adding a team... if it wasn't for the money they'd NEVER do it). However, if the only feasible way is to split them, as you and others mentioned they can designate 1-2 cross-divisional "legacy" teams like the ACC and SEC does, guaranteeing you play certain cross-division teams yearly (or multiple times yearly in things like basketball) while the other spots rotate between the rest. They are able to hold weeks constant too for those. The back to back problem in football (last week game followed by championship game between same two teams) really isn't relevant. So what if it happens?

darbypitcher22 wrote: Notre Dame won't join the Big Ten. too much money to be lost at stake for them with a national tv deal and all for football. I'm sure the Big Ten won't let them pull the same arrangement they have in the Big East with their other sports.

notre dame would make more money if they joined the big ten

rocket31 wrote:

darbypitcher22 wrote: Notre Dame won't join the Big Ten. too much money to be lost at stake for them with a national tv deal and all for football. I'm sure the Big Ten won't let them pull the same arrangement they have in the Big East with their other sports.

notre dame would make more money if they joined the big ten

That is correct, they would make substantially more money from joining to Big 10 than their current deal with NBC. If it was just about TV money, Notre Dame would be your 12th member of the Big 10.

rocket31 wrote: this is not going to happen.

in one months time the big ten conference has ran through every scenario, conducted extensive research, and RECIEVED APPROVAL from every member school?

yeah, i dont think so, the bleacher report is garbage.

Silly to think this all took place in one month, no?

WebFire wrote:

Silly to think this all took place in one month, no?

i am sure the research process has been going on for years, however, there is no way all member schools have approved of this addition in just a 30-45 days time.

I don't think it's any secret they've been looking to expand, not sure why you think they couldn't have done the leg work already and the last step is just a formality in essence.