REALIGNMENT: Paradigm Shift?

-EDITORIAL-

by TexCane

What you are about to read is pure speculation, not based on verifiable information. However, it will present a viable option in the ongoing power struggle in college athletics.

The current struggle between the power four conferences continues. The Big Ten and SEC currently have a huge financial advantage over the ACC and Big-12. The revenue distribution gap between the “Power 2” (SEC and Big Ten) and the ACC/Big-12 has grown to as much as $30-40M per school, per year. Unless the financial playing field levels out in the next wave of realignment, college athletics will evolve into the “haves and the have-nots.” College athletics would potentially evolve into irrelevancy with the Power 2 ascending to semi-professionalism.

Ok, enough. Time to get off the soapbox.

So, how do we save college athletics? A Paradigm Shift!

A key development may have unfolded this past week. Miami’s athletic director Dan Radakovich announced he will retire this year. Among the early speculation on Radakovich’s successor is Michael Yormark, currently president and CEO of Roc Nation Sports International. Yormark is the twin brother of Big-12 commissioner Bret Yormark. Michael is an innovative and aggressive corporation leader in the entertainment industry, driving impressive revenue growth.

It appears Miami is focused on leaders who can drive revenue growth. The obvious connection to the Big-12 may facilitate the next wave of realignment.

How?

Back to some serious speculation.

STEP ONE: Merge

The ACC and Big-12 merge with a foundation of 33 schools.

STEP TWO: Expand

Expand the new conference to 40 schools, organized into four geographical conferences, each with 10 member schools. That means adding seven schools to the original thirty-three schools.

STEP THREE: Notre Dame

The first school to add must be Notre Dame. The Irish are a critical piece in this realignment. They would be the powerful engine for Mega40 viewership and revenue. However, should Notre Dame decide to remain independent, a real possibility, then move on to an alternative school. More on that later.

STEP FOUR: Return to Regions Model

Give college athletics back to our fans. Return to the regional model. Cut down on the impact of travel for the fans, student-athletes and coaching staffs. Organize into four geographical divisions, each with 10 schools.

STEP FIVE: Media Rights

Mega40 will own 30% of Division I inventory. Sign multiple media rights deals for broadcasting and streaming rights. Air/stream 4-8 games weekly

STEP SIX: Performance Model

Institute a performance-based revenue model based on record and viewership paid out at the end of each school year (June-July).

STEP SEVEN: Balance the Divisions

Fill each division by adding schools that match up geographically. In addition to Notre Dame, offer membership to UConn, Tulane, UTSA, Memphis, Boise State, and UNLV.

Let’s examine these potential schools.

UConn: They bring a national brand in basketball (both men and women) and strengthen the conference presence in the important northeast corridor.


Tulane: A perfect geographic fit, an up and coming program and a large New Orleans market.

UTSA: Another trending program in a growing top 25 market that sits in one of the top recruiting states.

Boise State: The Broncos have a grown into a very strong and consistent program in football. And the Broncos offer a great rival matchup with BYU and Utah.

UNLV: The Rebels are trending upward and offer a potential recruiting threat in the southern California recruiting region. Las Vegas also sits in a big and growing TV market.

Memphis: The Tigers sit in a solid mid-level TV market and the program has become a consistent and competitive program. And they fit geographically.

MEGA40 DIVISIONS:

NORTH:

1. Notre Dame

2. Cincinnati

3. West Virginia

4. Pittsburgh

5. Louisville

6. Boston College

7. UConn

8. Syracuse

9. Virginia

10. Virginia Tech

SOUTH:

1. Clemson

2. Georgia Tech

3. Florida State

4. UCF

5. Miami

6. Duke

7. NC State

8. Wake Forest

9. North Carolina

10. Tulane

CENTRAL:

1. Houston

2. UTSA

3. TCU

4. SMU

5. Baylor

6. Iowa State

7. Kansas State

8. Kansas

9. Oklahoma State

10. Memphis

WEST:

1. BYU

2. Utah

3. Colorado

4. Arizona

5. Arizona State

6. Texas Tech

7. California

8. Stanford

9. Boise State

10. UNLV

BOTTOM LINE:

It would take a monumental effort to pull off the above paradigm shift. But it must be something like this or the ACC and Miami will be in a difficult situation the future.

GO CANES!