Here We Go Again....

Just when you thought you could get away, the rumor mill goes and sucks you right back in.  After months of speculation, the Big Ten expansion talks had quieted for several weeks.  Until today, when WHB 810 AM in Kansas City reported that the Big Ten had extended offers to no less than four candidate schools to join the conference.  Oh boy, here we go again...

The flood gates are open and the rumors are spreading like wildfire, but whether or not the story is justified still remains to be seen.  WHB's initial report indicated that the four schools to receive an invite include Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, and oh yes, Notre Dame (what's a Big Ten expansion story without the ND name drop?).  The article claims that all four schools received an invite and depending on Notre Dame's response, the league would expand to 14 or 16 teams.  Should Notre Dame accept, the addition of all four candidates would leave the conference with another odd number - 15 (of course, this is all assuming the other schools would without a doubt accept the invitation).  Therefore, WHB speculates that a 5th candidate would be offered to bring the total to 16, but did not indicate which school would be the last addition.  Should ND decline, the Big Ten would then decide if it should stay put at 14 schools or add two more to again land at a total of 16 members. 

To me, the number of teams is much less important than the quality of teams.  Missouri and Nebraska are obvious fits with Mizzou being the most desireable as Neby has a questionable (at best - hmm, sounds familiar) basketball program.  Notre Dame, without a doubt, is the Big Ten's dream candidate.  But with the, well let's just say less than welcoming, ND fans and the general attitude of everyone associated with God's school, it is quite likely they will pass up the extra $12 million a year in revenue to keep their private contract with NBC.  Should they join, I would, like most fans of BT schools, welcome them (and their added TV revenues) with open arms.  It's that other school that I just can't seem to get over. 

Rutgers.  Oh Rutgers.  I understand why Mr. Delaney wants to add you, I just can't bring myself to support it.  By adding the Scarlet Knights, the Big Ten would be attempting to bring the New York City market into play by adding the Big Ten Network to the basic cable programming in the area.  This would add an estimated 7.5 million TV sets - and don't kid yourselves, that is what is driving this whole expansion talk.  But what else would they offer?  They are a substandard football program and would clearly be in the lower tier of teams in the Big Ten and their basketball would be worse than Nebraska or current Big Ten member Penn St (ok, ok, and probably even worse than our own Hawkeyes).  I just don't like them.  I think Pitt or even Syracuse, both of which have been mentioned as candidates, would bring much more value to the conference and would add more national TVs to the mix.   While Rutgers may add the NYC market, I think Pitt and Cuse have a larger national following and would certainly have more viewers tuning in, even if they don't have the BTN included on their basic cable package.

In any event, I think the Big Ten expansion can only help the current member schools.  While the addition of some quality opponents may make it more difficult for every team to compete for a championship on an annual basis, the added revenue is something every program would benefit from.  Currently, the University of Iowa brings in just over $21 million a year from the BTN.  Now, add on the $1.3 million in TV revenue the Big Ten is expected to rake in each month from the addition of Mizzou alone and we are tacking on roughly a mil a year in extra revenue for each member school - before we get started talking Neby, ND or, God forbid, Rutgers.  That's a fresh mil that each school can use to put towards scouting, recruiting and hiring better coaches (or paying current ones more...). 

I can hear the nay-sayers already declaring that the addition of these schools would dilute the Midwestern roots of the Big Ten and lend the prestige to "outsiders," but don't forget it was less than 20 years ago that the Midwestern roots were abondoned to ad in some "east coast snob."  That one (Penn St) has worked out pretty well, hasn't it.  And sure they are able to land some solid recruits, but I don't think that being a member of the Big Ten has dramatically changed their ability to sell their program to young athletes, nor will it change much for the likes of Pitt, Syracuse, or any other "outsider" we could add.  If anything, it helps the current schools recruit better athletes who will look to play against top-notch competition and compete in a conference championship each year. 

Believe me, this is only the beginning of the speculation and this is only the beginning of the debate.  As such, The Manchise is planning to begin a new segment call "He Said, She Said," debating topics over the course of a week.  This week we will take each day to discuss an opposing viewpoint on the Big Ten expansion.  Obviously, I am all for it.  Up tomorrow, Jerry tosses out his thoughts to the contrary.  Stay tuned.