The $ will set you free!

[GumbyDamnit!]

Nova grad here. Everyone seems to be focused on who the best programs are in 2013 and missing a little bit of the big picture. I believe the new conference will be a mix of solid programs but more importantly fertile TV markets. As much as we don't like it, $ drives the bus. And we can bemoan the BCS schools but the reality is that schools need to jump on the bandwagon or be left behind. People keep talking about St. John's, Depaul and Providence not pulling their weight. I agree that it would be nice if a SHU or DePaul made the tourney every now and again to remain relevant. But look at those TV markets that the C7 bring with them. Chicago, NY, Philly, DC. If they can add OH, St. Louis, IN, etc., then they can command a better TV deal that will lead to exposure that recruits see, and allow for them to attract better coaches, who recruit better, etc., etc., etc. Focus on solid programs in solid markets. Don't become obesssed with the current RPI's of every program as the only determining factor. If Billy Donovan some day is tired of being 2nd fiddle at FLA and wants to coach his alma mater, do you think Providence will be relevant again real soon? If Stevens leaves Butler do they fall off the hoops cliff as quickly as they ascended? Decisions can't be made for 2013 alone. Depaul and VCU can't be compared in terms of recent success, but I'd bet on Depaul for the long haul. And I'm hearing a lot of complaints from UD fans, etc. that they will demand an equal share or tell the C7 to pound sand. Really? You wouldn't want to jump on board what could become the premeir BB-only conference and make 5x what you were making in a good, but soon to be stripped, A-10? C'mon already. The $ will be worked out; everything is negotiable. Stop with that nonsense thinking.

I think you are missing the point and we may be seeing our first case of east coast bias here.

Xavier, Dayton, Butler and Creighton aren't willing to be bribed, just to be relegated to second class status for 12 years. We have very strong, proud programs that frankly are pretty flush with cash right now. Further, we don't believe that some members of the BE 7 are as relevant nationally as they seem to think that they are.

Nobody cares who won what 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago. Nationally people want to watch games of the best teams with the best players. Right now a game between Seton Hall and Providence isn't moving the needle nationally. Hell, it isn't even moving the needle in those teams' local markets if attendance is any gauge. However, take a game between Butler and Creighton, two top 20 teams, and you've got a game with national interest and relevance.

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Who's being bribed? The way I see it all are being offered something that is more attractive than their current situations. And for all that recent success neither Butler nor Creighton can negotiate itself much of a TV deal, can they? What happens if Stevens leaves Butler? What happens if either Pitino or Donovan goes back to Providence? Those 2 programs will both doa complete 180. We can't predict the future or exactly where any of these programs will be in 10 years. We can only hope we bring each other up. Right now the C7 are offering the Butlers and Creightons a better chance to move their programs forward than the current situation that each is in. What do you think is better for Butler? For Georgetown, Marq, Nova and Xavier to come to town or for GW, Duquesne, St. Joe's or La Salle to come to town? St. Bonnie's sucks and so does SHU right now. Don't focus on the bottom. Jump aboard and let's build something great together. Enough of the "my penis is bigger than yours" crap. For whatever reason the C7 have a product that is more desirable to attract TV money than the MVC or the A-10. Oh well. Get over it. I'm a Big 10 FB fan but the SEC is superior. Should I take my ball and go home or strive to better? That's what this is all about for all of us outside of the power conferences. Why not use each other for a win-win? The truth is we don't know exactly what the terms will be until they come out. Either way ask yourself if Creighton better served to stay put or join what might be the start of something special. My hope is that the conference extends to the West Coast and picks up the Zags and St. Mary's down the road. It would be short sighted for Creighton to miss out on that just because of pride or an inferiority complex.

[whiteandblue77]

[whiteandblue77]

How come nobody talks about Duquesne any more???? As far as media pie goes, I think this is the most money:

[GumbyDamnit!]

How come nobody talks about Duquesne any more???? As far as media pie goes, I think this is the most money:

Duquesne is terrible. Terrible facilities. They have not invested in athletics. Pitt owns that market and it is a Steelers/Pens/Pitt town only. Please no Duquesne.

[GumbyDamnit!]

How come nobody talks about Duquesne any more???? As far as media pie goes, I think this is the most money:

Also as a Nova fan I can tell you that there is no reason to invite St. Joe's. We'll never allow it. We hate them--they hate us. And the two schools are about 10 miles from each other. The market is not big enough for two. No thanks to them either.

[Edrick]

12 years - Absolutely no one of consequence would join the conference.

As it relates to Xavier and Butler, If there is a temporary period where Butler and Xavier (and whomever is the 10th) are to receive less than the other members of the league to recoup justifiable costs, that is something reasonable and can be worked through.

If its not, both BU and XU will decline and the C7 will move on with whomever they can find at whatever rate Fox (or other) is then willing to provide.

This should be pretty plain, that programs being brought in to buttress the very basketball credibility that they are trying to sell Fox and others isn't going to accept untenable terms. 4 or 5 years at some lower rate I could probably see.