Quote:
Originally Posted by alnorth
I am not yet convinced the Big 10 will expand past 12, it doesn't make economic sense.
The Big 10 network throws off what, about $20M per team? Expanding to 12 to get a football championship game would probably be worth it and generate more than $20M, but after that?
Given the cash cow the conference has, which would have to be shared to new teams coming in, it would economically make no sense to expand beyond 12 unless each additional team would cause the Big 10 network to generate more than $20M new profit per team. I dont see how Missouri brings in another $20M, and I sure as hell dont see how Nebraska does it.
I believe this will end up being much ado about nothing, the Big 10 will likely expand to 12 and thats it. If they go to 14, the extra 2 teams will probably be some east coast schools located in heavily-populated areas. Missouri might end up being #12 to help them get the football championship game, but if Missouri is not the Big 10's #1 target (assuming ND is off the table), I just dont see it happening.
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That's kind of how I see it. Don't forget about the research grant that the Big 10 has, either. They would have to split up that pie as well, and it doesn't grow as schools are added the way a television contract does.