[ad_1]
The Big Ten, ACC and Pac-12 expect to announce a long-awaited alliance within the next two weeks, sources told CBS Sports. For now, the biggest influence the alliance is expected to have will be on the future governance of the NCAA. The realignment between the three conferences is not part of their ongoing discussions.
The alliance became a priority after Texas and Oklahoma went to the SEC. Talks between the Big Ten, the ACC and the Pac-12 have been described by one source as a “non-aggression pact” against the SEC after the Big 12 was destabilized over the losses of the Longhorns and Sooners. This takeover tipped the scales in favor of the SEC in future collegiate athletics relationships.
Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach first announced that an announcement regarding the alliance could be made as early as next week. This just a week after CBS Sports and The Athletic announced that the trio were actively engaged in discussions about forming a planning alliance.
The structure, access and value of an expanded college football qualifier remains to be determined. There has been a considerable pushback to slow the timeline since the Texas and Oklahoma moves.
“Some of the things we do on our own just have to stop,” a senior school official told CBS Sports. “Some of that shit, we’re talking about expanding to 12. For two teams that [go all the way], it’s been 17 games. We are going to talk about “these children are not professionals” and we are not paying them? I strongly believe in the academic value of what we do, but at some point it looks like professionals. … I strongly believe in the academic piece we provide. “
This is perhaps the focal point of the alliance. College athletics are wary of the SEC and ESPN dominating… everything. The income of the Big 12 will drop by at least 50% with the losses of Texas and Oklahoma. It would serve ESPN well financially if the Big 12 were to go as that would be one less TV rights bundle to pay.
Even with an alliance, the SEC would likely retain its advantage as a conference with the most teams.
A planning alliance between the Big Ten, the ACC and the Pac-12, which was also discussed, would improve the strength of the schedule and create interesting non-conference games, but any planning element of a roster would not have immediate impact. The Big Ten and the Pac-12 discussed a programming alliance in 2012. Talks ultimately broke down, but at the time it was reported that it would take at least five years before no-time schedules. conference can be adjusted accordingly.
The One Power Five athletic director speculated to CBS Sports that it could take 10 years to unwind non-conference schedules. An example: Michigan faces Oklahoma in 2026 and Texas in 2027. Does the program want to add another Pac-12 or ACC Power Five game in those years and then play a Big Schedule? Ten?
At a minimum, the alliance wants to be seen as a like-minded entity with the overhaul of the NCAA. A constitutional convention will be held in November to essentially deregulate college athletics. In the future, conferences will have more control over legislation.
There are already concerns about the composition of the committee that will formulate recommendations for this congress. Five members were added to the original 23-person committee due to an outcry over the lack of representation. One of the reasons the NCAA is abdicating its authority is its failure to oversee college football, especially the Power Five. NCAA President Mark Emmert is in favor of a decentralization of authority in which conferences have more influence.
The alliance could have a huge impact – perhaps even more than the SEC – on what varsity athletics looks like off the field. The Big Ten, the ACC and the Pac-12 could – as a group – support a more conservative model similar to what exists today. The voting structure has not been worked out, but the Power Five conferences currently enjoy a weighted voting advantage in the governance of the NCAA.
“I think that’s a big part of my perspective,” Michigan AD Warde Manuel said of the alliance’s academic activities. “This is going to be critical in the long run for what we do.”
While the name, image, and likeness rights seem to be here to stay, the new governance could come down to issues like roster size, coaching staff size, issues of eligibility and requirements for athletes progressing to a diploma. The alliance could draw a line in the sand on these issues. Of course, as it stands, the SEC could set its own policies.
Other sources told CBS Sports that antitrust issues could arise with a three-conference alliance. There is a fine line to be crossed in terms of potential collusion. An alliance between the Big Ten, the ACC and the Pac-12 would represent 60% of the current Power Five.
The Big Ten and the Pac-12 also intend to continue pushing for the inclusion of the Rose Bowl – in its traditional form – as part of any discussion of playoff expansion. Even if the alliance does not form, these two conferences support the traditional date and time of the game, Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. ET, with the Big Ten and Pac-12 teams competing in Pasadena, Calif.
Sources reiterated to CBS Sports that the 40 schools comprising the Big Ten, the ACC and the Pac-12 would not “boycott” the SEC in terms of non-conference programming, but their primary focus would be to pursue “their own interests.” with an alliance.
[ad_2]
Source link