Home Discord Chat
Go Back   ChiefsPlanet > Nzoner's Game Room
Register FAQDonate Members List Calendar

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-12-2011, 07:57 AM  
Saulbadguy Saulbadguy is offline
When a nightmare becomes real
 
Saulbadguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Casino cash: $746966
New Conference re-alignment thread

The old one has AIDS.

Anyways, Chip Brown from Orangebloods.com reports OU may apply to the Pac-12 by the end of the month.

Oklahoma will apply for membership to the Pac-12 before the end of the month, and Oklahoma State is expected to follow suit, a source close to OU's administration told Orangebloods.com.

Even though Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said Friday the Pac-12 was not interested in expansion at this time, OU's board of regents is fed up with the instability in the Big 12, the source said.

The OU board of regents will meet within two weeks to formalize plans to apply for membership to the Pac-12, the source said.

Messages left Sunday night with OU athletic director Joe Castiglione and Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder were not immediately returned.

If OU follows through with what appears to be a unanimous sentiment on the seven-member Oklahoma board of regents to leave the Big 12, realignment in college athletics could be heating back up. OU's application would be matched by an application from Oklahoma State, the source said, even though OSU president Burns Hargis and mega-booster Boone Pickens both voiced their support for the Big 12 last Thursday.

There is differing sentiment about if the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors are ready to expand again after bringing in Colorado and Utah last year and landing $3 billion TV contracts from Fox and ESPN. Colorado president Bruce Benson told reporters last week CU would be opposed to any expansion that might bring about east and west divisions in the Pac-12.

Currently, there are north and south divisions in the Pac-12. If OU and OSU were to join, Larry Scott would have to get creative.

Scott's orginal plan last summer was to bring in Colorado, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and put them in an eastern division with Arizona and Arizona State. The old Pac-8 schools (USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State) were to be in the west division.

Colorado made the move in June 2010, but when Texas A&M was not on board to go west, the Big 12 came back together with the help of its television partners (ABC/ESPN and Fox).

If Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were accepted into the Pac-12, there would undoubtedly be a hope by Larry Scott that Texas would join the league. But Texas sources have indicated UT is determined to hang onto the Longhorn Network, which would not be permissible in the Pac-12 in its current form.

Texas sources continue to indicate to Orangebloods.com that if the Big 12 falls apart, the Longhorns would consider "all options."

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe held an emergency conference call 10 days ago with league presidents excluding Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M and asked the other league presidents to "work on Texas" because Beebe didn't think the Pac-12 would take Oklahoma without Texas.

Now, it appears OU is willing to take its chances with the Pac-12 with or without Texas.

There seemed to be a temporary pause in any possible shifting of the college athletics' landscape when Baylor led a charge to tie up Texas A&M's move to the Southeastern Conference in legal red tape. BU refused to waive its right to sue the SEC over A&M's departure from the Big 12, and the SEC said it would not admit Texas A&M until it had been cleared of any potential lawsuits.

Baylor, Kansas and Iowa State have indicated they will not waive their right to sue the SEC.

It's unclear if an application by OU to the Pac-12 would draw the same threats of litigation against the Pac-12 from those Big 12 schools.

Stay tuned.
Posts: 47,020
Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.Saulbadguy threw an interception on a screen pass.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:29 AM   #5821
mikeyis4dcats. mikeyis4dcats. is offline
Scarlett Johansson's boytoy
 
mikeyis4dcats.'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2006
Casino cash: $9555998
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut View Post
Keep on ****ing that chicken, tiger.

You've been listening to way too much Kietzman.
I broke the norm and listened to him clown Jack Harry yesterday for about 10 minutes. That's the first I've listened in over a year. Only KU and MU fans listen to him troll...
__________________
Posts: 12,526
mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:30 AM   #5822
mikeyis4dcats. mikeyis4dcats. is offline
Scarlett Johansson's boytoy
 
mikeyis4dcats.'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2006
Casino cash: $9555998
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut View Post
I was in Joplin yesterday when the Kietzman/Harry argument went on, but I think it's fair to point out just how absurd KK was being when he built his little straw-man with Harry.

Jack Harry is absolutely wrong here. There's no way on Gods green earth the XII should keep that tournament in KC. But KK went on to paint this as the "Missouri fans" position. Look Harry wears dual hats. He's a Missouri guy, but he's also a Kansas City resident and sports personality.

He wasn't speaking as a MU guy there, but as a KC sports personality. Yet KK tried to put a Mizzou hat on him. Here's what KK constantly fails to realize - Kansas City is only about 1/3 of Missouri's fanbase, probably even a little less. St. Louis is a stronger MU town than KC is and the rest of the state is heavy MU as well since it's the only major athletic university in the state.

So right off the bat, 2/3 of the MU fanbase doesn't give a rats ass if that tournament stays in KC - not even a little bit. Of the remaining 1/3 in the KC area, about 1/2 of them don't give a shit That would've been me had I stayed in KC; I don't put a lot of stock in the economic evaluations of single-shot sporting events in a region. Those are fungible assets; that spare income will still be spent just on other avenues and most of it will still be spent in-state. Of the remaining 1/2 of the KC area MU fans, 3/4 of those recognize why the IIX wouldn't want to have the tournament in a state with no representatives.

All told, you're talking maybe 5% of the Missouri fanbase that thinks the tournament should still be in Kansas City and NONE of them are speaking as Missouri fans, but as Kansas City residents. So what?

But Keitzman's dumbass decided to use this as the jumping off point for a 20 minute rant about how entitled and superior MU fans are behaving.

He really does expose himself as a bitter little shit if you pay attention to what arguments he chooses to make. Not the arguments themselves (as his argument there was an easy win), but how he chooses to couch arguments and frame them to deconstruct straw-men.

He's a perfect little Wildcat right now.
If KK = KSU then Harry definitely = MU.
__________________
Posts: 12,526
mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:30 AM   #5823
evenfall evenfall is offline
Starter
 

Join Date: Jul 2011
Casino cash: $10004900
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut View Post
So right off the bat, 2/3 of the MU fanbase doesn't give a rats ass if that tournament stays in KC - not even a little bit. Of the remaining 1/3 in the KC area, about 1/2 of them don't give a shit That would've been me had I stayed in KC; I don't put a lot of stock in the economic evaluations of single-shot sporting events in a region. Those are fungible assets; that spare income will still be spent just on other avenues and most of it will still be spent in-state. Of the remaining 1/2 of the KC area MU fans, 3/4 of those recognize why the IIX wouldn't want to have the tournament in a state with no representatives.

All told, you're talking maybe 5% of the Missouri fanbase that thinks the tournament should still be in Kansas City and NONE of them are speaking as Missouri fans, but as Kansas City residents. So what?

But Keitzman's dumbass decided to use this as the jumping off point for a 20 minute rant about how entitled and superior MU fans are behaving.
The issue is, where can the tournament be held? OKC or Dallas. Des Moines will lobby, but nobody wants to travel to Des Moines. KC still makes a lot of sense geographically and because KC is not really an all-Missouri city. The fact that the arena sits a couple of miles across the border doesn't really mean much. The Giants play in New Jersey. I don't see this a lot differently.

He is butthurt because on the whole I think this is bad for his business. He knows it despite what he says. His station has gotten a lot of mileage out of MU/KU, the Big 12 tournament, the games at Arrowhead, and even the negative interest MU fans take in KU basketball and KU fans take in MU football.

He campaigned for weeks trying to swap public opinion to stop it. He failed. Chiefplanet is displaying few examples of overt butthurt, KK has the biggest case of butthurt on the earth about this thing. Harry is right that he is jealous as well, but I think his wallet is yelping louder.
Posts: 945
evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.evenfall has just been standing around suckin' on a big ol' chili dog.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:35 AM   #5824
eazyb81 eazyb81 is offline
The Illuminati
 
eazyb81's Avatar
 

Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: the road less traveled
Casino cash: $10004900
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewChief View Post
Exactly. I went to school here when we were just joining the SEC (and during our basketball title). Our athletics (and academic) facilities were a far cry then from what they are today. Tailgating was pathetic, and there was no culture of fanaticism (except with basketball). Since joining the SEC, things have completely changed. Razorback sports are insane now and our facilities for all sports are top notch.
Arkansas' stadium capacity increased about 56% since they joined the SEC in 1992. Amazing what replacing games against the likes of SMU, Rice, and Houston with Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU can do to excite a fanbase.
Posts: 12,033
eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:39 AM   #5825
DJ's left nut DJ's left nut is offline
Sauntering Vaguely Downwards
 
DJ's left nut's Avatar
 

Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, Mo
Casino cash: $1099099
Quote:
Originally Posted by evenfall View Post
The issue is, where can the tournament be held? OKC or Dallas. Des Moines will lobby, but nobody wants to travel to Des Moines. KC still makes a lot of sense geographically and because KC is not really an all-Missouri city. The fact that the arena sits a couple of miles across the border doesn't really mean much. The Giants play in New Jersey. I don't see this a lot differently.

He is butthurt because on the whole I think this is bad for his business. He knows it despite what he says. His station has gotten a lot of mileage out of MU/KU, the Big 12 tournament, the games at Arrowhead, and even the negative interest MU fans take in KU basketball and KU fans take in MU football.

He campaigned for weeks trying to swap public opinion to stop it. He failed. Chiefplanet is displaying few examples of overt butthurt, KK has the biggest case of butthurt on the earth about this thing. Harry is right that he is jealous as well, but I think his wallet is yelping louder.
Eh, KK made some good suggestions; Wichita evidently has a new basketball arena, as does Des Moines. OKC and Dallas would be great spots for it as well.

It would just rotate among states with member schools; seems very sensible to me.
__________________
"If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..."

"When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."

Last edited by DJ's left nut; 10-20-2011 at 10:53 AM..
Posts: 63,320
DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.DJ's left nut is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:41 AM   #5826
Saul Good Saul Good is offline
Quit your bullshit
 

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bored of winning
Casino cash: $10052799
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats. View Post
If KK = KSU then Harry definitely = MU.
Jack Harry has explicitely stated that he's not a Mizzou fan but took to their side because of the imbalance against them. Its not like Harry is an MU grad.
__________________
Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870
Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:42 AM   #5827
Bearcat Bearcat is offline
Would an idiot do that?
 
Bearcat's Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Arizona
Casino cash: $894931
Quote:
Originally Posted by evenfall View Post
Dumb.. I can see why minor conferences feel threatened by this realignment stuff, but you can't extend the season by 4 weeks.
Why not? Time isn't really an issue... last year's bowl season was 4 weeks long, so it's not like games would be stretching into February, as they could use that same time period from mid-Dec through the first week or two of January. Of course, it's more games, more chances for injuries, less time to study for that communications final, etc; but hell, knock off that game vs Missouri State, since it's a useless scrimmage anyway...
__________________
Posts: 57,232
Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.Bearcat is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:43 AM   #5828
mikeyis4dcats. mikeyis4dcats. is offline
Scarlett Johansson's boytoy
 
mikeyis4dcats.'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2006
Casino cash: $9555998
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Good View Post
Jack Harry has explicitely stated that he's not a Mizzou fan but took to their side because of the imbalance against them. Its not like Harry is an MU grad.
and that changes the fact he is an MU homer because?
__________________
Posts: 12,526
mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:44 AM   #5829
mikeyis4dcats. mikeyis4dcats. is offline
Scarlett Johansson's boytoy
 
mikeyis4dcats.'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2006
Casino cash: $9555998
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearcat View Post
Why not? Time isn't really an issue... last year's bowl season was 4 weeks long, so it's not like games would be stretching into February, as they could use that same time period from mid-Dec through the first week or two of January. Of course, it's more games, more chances for injuries, less time to study for that communications final, etc; but hell, knock off that game vs Missouri State, since it's a useless scrimmage anyway...
practically you are talking about 4 more games, more practices, more travel, more missed class, instead of 1 game and the associated practice and travel. it IS a big difference.

And you know the bowl sponsors want their money still.
__________________
Posts: 12,526
mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:45 AM   #5830
Saul Good Saul Good is offline
Quit your bullshit
 

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bored of winning
Casino cash: $10052799
Petro is saying what I have been thinking. The withdrwal goes down on Friday. Slive announces the approval on Monday. The SEC gets a week's worth of free promotion on the Big XII's dime leading up to the Tigers\Aggies game.
__________________
Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870
Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:48 AM   #5831
eazyb81 eazyb81 is offline
The Illuminati
 
eazyb81's Avatar
 

Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: the road less traveled
Casino cash: $10004900
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats. View Post
practically you are talking about 4 more games, more practices, more travel, more missed class, instead of 1 game and the associated practice and travel. it IS a big difference.

And you know the bowl sponsors want their money still.
Not sure how much sway the bowls will have given the recent expose on how "uncharitable" they have been with bowl revenue. Their actions may prove to be the black eye that pushes the schools toward an organized tournament system.
Posts: 12,033
eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.eazyb81 would the whole thing.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:49 AM   #5832
Saul Good Saul Good is offline
Quit your bullshit
 

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bored of winning
Casino cash: $10052799
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats. View Post
and that changes the fact he is an MU homer because?
Because defending a school against unfair criticism and/or playing devil's advocate does not constitute homerism.
__________________
Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870
Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.Saul Good is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:50 AM   #5833
Pants Pants is offline
Time Keeps On Slipping
 
Pants's Avatar
 

Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Overland Park
Casino cash: $4909900
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Good View Post
Because defending a school against unfair criticism and/or playing devil's advocate does not constitute homerism.


Poor little MU.

Saul Good, your victim mentality is exhausting.
__________________
"Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,303
Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.Pants has an IQ even higher than Frankie's.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:51 AM   #5834
mikeyis4dcats. mikeyis4dcats. is offline
Scarlett Johansson's boytoy
 
mikeyis4dcats.'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Nov 2006
Casino cash: $9555998
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Good View Post
Because defending a school against unfair criticism and/or playing devil's advocate does not constitute homerism.
and the other 364 days of the year Harry is also defending lil miss mizzou's honor?
__________________
Posts: 12,526
mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.mikeyis4dcats. is too fat/Omaha.
    Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2011, 10:51 AM   #5835
|Zach| |Zach| is offline
For The Glory Of The City
 
|Zach|'s Avatar
 

Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $4226768
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pants View Post


Poor little MU.
From the guy who has the school that is literally begging its fans to watch them come play.
Posts: 54,060
|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.|Zach| is obviously part of the inner Circle.
    Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump




All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:23 PM.


This is a test for a client's site.
Fort Worth Texas Process Servers
Covering Arlington, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie and surrounding communities.
Tarrant County, Texas and Johnson County, Texas.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.