Big East contacts Fresno State and UNLV

[Harry]

The Big East has “reached out” to both Fresno State and UNLV to join the league on the football side, CBSSports.com has learned. In addition, BYU and Big East commissioner Mike Aresco have at least had informal conversations.

UNLV and Fresno have “definitely” talked to Aresco, according to a source. However, the talks are being kept as secret as possible to keep from “offending people,” such as regents and boards of regents and trustees at those schools.

Aresco is aggressively trying to assemble a group of football-playing schools to keep under the Big East banner. The problem: Uncertainty on all fronts. The Big East doesn't know how -- or even if -- it will proceed in football. The 10-team Mountain West hasn't made a move to expand because of its uncertainty in its TV contract with CBS. The 10-year contract runs through the 2015 season, paying what is believed to be $8 million to $12 million per year. However, one source said conference schools are hoping to gain control of some second and third rights (or games).

Those rights could be owned by the schools (re: pay-per-view) or bundled by the conference to a rights-holder. Either way, the idea is to televise as many games as possible.

“The only reason the Mountain West hasn't moved [is] because of the TV thing,” a source said. “The TV thing is really puzzling.”

Read more: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21425151/big-east-contacts-fresno-state-and-unlv-about-joining-in-football

[mgfan]

Barely beat me Harry. If this happens look for utep and possibly Tulsa to go to the mwc

Edited December 20, 2012 by mgfan

[PlummMeanGreen]

If those 2 schools leave the MWC then their Commish' CraigThompson might have to get with CUSA Commish' Banowsky and revive their old Alliance idea for survival. Thompson seems to have avoided "the Alliance" subject but may be forced to live with that idea now becaue it might be his last card to play.

GMG!.

[North Texas Shep]

UNLV is horrible! Big East is getting way too desperate.

[H-towngreen]

I just dont see wh theyd want to jump ship to a failing conference.

[Harry]

UNLV is horrible! Big East is getting way too desperate.

You're right, they're desperate and they are opting for destination locations like New Orleans and Vegas.

[Coffee and TV]

Big East gives me new comedy every week.

[MeanGreenGlory]

If those 2 schools leave the MWC then their Commish' CraigThompson might have to get with CUSA Commish' Banowsky and revive their old Alliance idea for survival. Thompson seems to have avoided "the Alliance" subject but may be forced to live with that idea now becaue it might be his last card to play.

GMG!.

If the alliance were to happen we'd be in a much better situation than the Big East.

[Christopher Walker]

Aresco is grasping at straws at this point.

[Arkstfan]

Aresco is grasping at straws at this point.

I'm not so sure.

If they unbundle the rights so that you choose whether you are placing tier 1 or 2 rights or both into the pool the money won't be blockbuster but it will be OK, especially if people start making their own regional/local deals.

If he can get Fresno, UNLV, BYU the west becomes SDSU, Fresno, UNLV, Boise, BYU, Houston, SMU and presumably Tulane. Not great but manageable.

[golfingomez]

Fresno St. is going to be the BCS buster next year... they have a strong team coming back and are playing a very weak schedule... the younger Carr brother will be playing in his final season there... I predict big things...

[Arkstfan]

Fresno St. is going to be the BCS buster next year... they have a strong team coming back and are playing a very weak schedule... the younger Carr brother will be playing in his final season there... I predict big things...

I thought ASU might be in the hunt for buster, but that was before we changed head coaches yet again. Great schedule for it and not losing that many starters.

[wardly]

UNLV is horrible! Big East is getting way too desperate.

The addition of Tulane proved that, and was the straw trhat broke the camels back for the basketball only Big East Teams. Look at them to go after Tulsa if BYU stays independent,which i think they will.

[MDH]

Fresno St. is going to be the BCS buster next year... they have a strong team coming back and are playing a very weak schedule... the younger Carr brother will be playing in his final season there... I predict big things...

Agreed. Pat Hill could never get the dogs focused on conference play, don't think that's the case for Derutyer.