According to numerous reports, the Big Ten conference is expected to speed up their decision-making time line in reference to expansion. The conference that already has 11 teams is looking to see if adding one or more universities to the mix would increase competition and revenue streams.
The Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that Big Ten representatives met in Washington today and could start identifying names within the next few weeks. The Bowl Championship Series has meetings scheduled for Phoenix later this month and that could be an opportune time to start discussing the matter with other conferences.
The writer of that article also mentioned that it seems that an addition of three teams is actually the most plausible now. Read after the jump for more information and my thoughts on what a 14-team or 16-team does for the image of the Big Ten.
Here are the actual words from the article in reference to additional expansion:
The thinking among those in touch with Big Ten officials is the conference likely will add at least three schools to end up with a 14- or 16-team league.
“I don’t think 16 is scaring anyone off, as long as you can find (five) that are a good enough fit,” said one source who has been consulted during the exploratory phase. “They’re looking long-term, across the horizon. What gives them the best shot at keeping value at a high level?”
I’m actually quite surprised that this is being discussed at all. The Big East is notably the only major conference in any sport to dare go much past the 12-team standard. In basketball, there are 16 teams in an incredible super conference that actually hurts some of the traditional schools.
When was the last time in the past decade or so that you ever saw St. John’s, DePaul or Rutgers with a successful year in basketball? It’s almost impossible because the bulk of their conference regular season schedule will include Connecticut, Syracuse, Villanova and Pittsburgh every season.
I would definitely be down for adding a team such as Notre Dame to the Big Ten. But to radically change the conference with 14 or even 16 teams seems a bit outlandish to me. What are your thoughts y’all?