Sandy Barbour, Penn State's athletic director, said Saturday that the Big Ten is in a "really good place" as it explores a partnership with the ACC or Pac-12. However, it will continue to focus on what adds value beyond money.
Barbour stated that he believes there are conferences that could be of value to monetary investors, especially when it comes to our TV contract and our television revenues. "... "...
Barbour stated that 40% of the Association of American Universities, a group of top research schools, is located within the Pac-12 Big Ten and ACC conferences.
Barbour stated, "I am not trying to downplay value as it relates t o upsizing our revenues -- although that is certainly important -- but that is not the only reason." "And I believe that there are some benefits to the conference around like-mindedness.
Following the announcements by Texas and Oklahoma that they would be leaving the Big 12 to join the SEC, the Big Ten and ACC formed an "alliance team" which included athletic directors from each conference and the three commissioners to discuss how they could collaborate moving forward.
ESPN sources told ESPN that they expect to have a call soon, but there is still uncertainty in the group over what an alliance would look like beyond abstract academic commonalities. Scheduling will be an aspect of the discussion. However, sources tell ESPN that each league has its own motivations and times.
As the NCAA undergoes a self-evaluation of its structure and governance, these discussions are ongoing. Barbour is one 23-member member of the NCAA's constitution board.
She stated that they had their first meeting via virtual Tuesday as the group began to propose a new governance model.
Barbour stated, "I don’t think this will be nibbling at any edges." "I believe it's going be bold. "I hope that I don't have the need to retract this statement."
