FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Now is the perfect time for Notre Dame to finally join the Big 10 Conference in football.

At 6-6 in 2008, following a lame 3-9 season in 2007, the Irish have lost a lot of luster and bluster over the past 2 seasons. They had one of the weakest schedules in the country this season and next year's schedule looks even weaker. Their TV ratings are sliding and their future contract value with NBC has never been lower.

Let's face it, its all about money. Hey, we live in a capitalist society, deal with it. I would argue that ND joining the Big 10 for football would be extremely lucrative for all those involved: ND, the Big 10, the NCAA and oh yea, every TV network that covers college football.

Obviously, the Big 10 would need to offer ND a bundle of cash to get them to play along, as ND generates multi-millions annually on their own. The Big 10 would need to guarantee a higher annual pay day to get ND to even think about it.

Where does the Big 10 get the $ to pay them? TV. Adding ND would allow the Big 10(11) to create two, six-team divisions, just like the Big 12. Poof, you've got a league championship game raking in huge $, on a payscale comparable to another bowl game. Give ND all the TV revenue for that game for the first 10 years.

Next, renegotiate the NBC TV deal that ND has because it will be worth 50% more if they played a Big 10 schedule. Imagine the increase in total viewership when Navy gets replaced by Ohio State and Air Force gets replaced by Wisconsin or Illinois. ND already plays Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue almost every year any way. Give ND the annual $ increase from a more lucrative NBC TV contract.

ND would also get their fair share of revenue from the pool of $ earned by the Big 10 thru all of their bowl game appearances. So, we've covered off ND's $ needs and then some.

So, what's in it for the Big 10? More $.

First, you get your share of the attractive NBC deal. Done.

Next, let's say you're Iowa. Every other year, ND shows up in Iowa City instead of Indiana (yawn). Charge higher ticket prices (Purdue does it when ND comes to town). The TV ratings soar, generating more advertising $. The stadium is sold out for every ND game, generating maximum concession revenue and in-stadium ad revenue. 20,000 ND fans pay scalper prices to get in, then spend a ton of blue-blood $ in your one-horse town.

But here's the best kicker. The last game of the year between Minnesota and Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern, etc. now means something to people outside of Iowa/Minnesota or Illinois because it will dramatically influence who wins each division. Every game in the league has division and league championship game implications. Attendance and TV ratings across the league would increase, resulting in double-digit increases in advertising revenue for the league, plus increases in concessions and team merchandise sales. (If you think this is bull, consider the financial benefits of MLB's wild card races every year)

Bottom line, all Big 10 related TV and radio contracts are renegotiated - up, by at least low double-digits.

And who gets stuck, holding the bag and paying the extra freight? College football advertisers. Will they pay up? Heck yes, because these companies highly covet the educated, high income viewers of college football.

If the Big 10 was smart, they'd start talking to ND now. The price may never be lower..

..Follow the money..

http://www.top10sportslist.com/