The Weekly Audible: 5/6/2016

Let’s solve the world’s problems together, one tweet at a time.

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Well that just might work

Sometimes an idea comes along so revolutionary it just can’t be ignored. Like that one time the Big 12 talked about expanding (again) and Tim Bryant said,

@collegead @JaxStateFan crazy idea: what about 12?

— Tim Bryant (@TimBryantRadio) May 4, 2016

I get it. The Big 12 is a solid brand name and you don’t want to lose all the equity in that, but at the same time, the name on the door should dictate business decisions like how many teams are in the league. I think where the whole thing falls apart is that, at this point, it feels like the powers that be are actively avoiding a 12 team conference, when most conferences have found that preferable at one time or another.

There is the challenge of finding the right team though, and I don’t think I’m alone in the feeling that the Big 12 may have backed themselves into a corner here.

If that is the decision wouldn't they be best served staying in their natural footprint or give West VA a pairing. https://t.co/wQagx0s4ao

— Erick S. Taylor Jr. (@ericktaylor_jr) May 3, 2016

West Virginia is a great school and program, and travel budgets, while still sky high, are becoming easier to manage with growing television revenue. But, they are like a new puppy. If you are going to keep it, you need to get it something to play with.

What do we do now?

It isn't just basketball! It's all sports. I definitely think it is a cultural issue of entitlement. Period! https://t.co/ETX5cImERx

— Christie Ward (@CLW11_DLYS) May 1, 2016

We,re written a few articles on this exact topic, and the response seems to be unanimous; the new student-athlete (and student-not-athlete) is entitled. So, what are we going to do about it? Because recognizing the issue and shouting it from the rooftops wont solve anything. We need a plan. How do we reverse course? How do we prepare students for the real world without alienating and losing them along the way? Just because it’s broken doesn’t mean we should give up on fixing it.

I don’t have the answer, but hopefully someone else does. When that day comes, we’ll be the first ones to tell you about it.

Let’s talk it out

Strong insights from @Doug_Lipinski on success of @gvsulakers sponsorship program. #sportsbiz #scachat https://t.co/B1dhGWfu61

— Kirby Garry (@kirbygarry) May 5, 2016

Interviews with knowledgeable people are always great, and this one was no exception. It’s never fun to talk about how you make ends meet with limited resources or money, but when you have a great plan, the conversation gets a lot more interesting.

Who is in charge here?

To make it even more like professional sports that doesn't pay its players? The anti-trust lawyers love the idea. https://t.co/LBwjrvMhxh

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) May 4, 2016

I’m not sure how much this particular point would help an anti-trust lawyer’s case, but it definitely won’t hurt it. More and more the upper echelon of college football is moving toward a pro model, and I’m not sure anyone is interested in hiding it anymore. Maybe breaking up the NCAA into a semi-pro league and a traditional student-athlete league aren’t such a bad thing? I mean, then we’ll at least get two Christmases.

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair

@collegead @SRJimm my first impression was the image from The Eagles – Hotel California album jacket.

— 🛡MJ☘️ (@MJ_GoGaels) May 5, 2016

Welp, can’t unsee that now. Although, I’m not sure if that’s a demon in the window.