It’s not hard to find news articles talking about the possibility of Big Ten expansion and considering it from a bunch of different angles. For example, here’s a piece in which some of the basketball coaches in the conference give their thoughts on expansion.
Much as I like college basketball, I think that, on the expansion question, football issues will call the tune. Basketball teams currently play a bunch of out-of-conference games, and there already is a season-ending Big Ten basketball tournament. And although there are basketball rivalries in the conference, there is nothing to compare to Ohio State-Michigan or some of the traditional games where teams play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe or the Old Oaken Bucket. Finally, expansion seems unlikely to mean a significant increased in basketball revenue.
The real change — and the real potential revenue — would be in the football season, and that is where those involved in evaluating expansion prospects no doubt will focus their attention.
Keep The Big Ten As It Is (Cont.)
