Post by elp525 on May 30, 2010 8:40:49 GMT -5
May 29, 2010
By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor
ONE CAN ADD together all the theories behind relativity, evolution, global climate change and Jesse James' decision to step out on Sandra Bullock.
It still wouldn't approach the number of theories on how the Big Ten's expansion exploration will shake out. The Internet is so clogged by expansion theories it could use a version of word Drano.
Anyway, much of the concern in the Mountain State centers on what will happen to the Big East and, more specifically, West Virginia University.
"It's apparent our followers are, as are followers of other conferences, concerned,'' said WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong.
The foremost question remains, however, of what's being done to address those concerns.
Perhaps the most telling comment of late came from former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who is now working with the Big East.
"I don't think that anyone, not in the Big East, is waiting for the Big Ten,'' Tagliabue said via the Associated Press. "We're looking ahead proactively. It starts with ESPN.''
Later, he said, "depending on how [ESPN goes], people [will] look at other alternatives, but it has to start with ESPN. That's where others have ended up. The SEC ended up there, the ACC ended up there. Beyond that, it's hard to speculate.''
It's difficult to know exactly what Tagliabue meant. Was he saying Big East representatives would meet with the network reps and ask what they wish to consume - and then try to serve the best possible dish? Was he saying the league should ask ESPN's advice and/or blessing on possibly forming a Big East network? Might the league ask ESPN if a network partnership with another conference makes sense? Heck, was he saying the Big East might ask ESPN if it would like to be a partner in the formation of a Big East network, a la Fox and the Big Ten?
The latter would be a splendid, if longshot, idea for the beleaguered league. Probably, however, Tagliabue means a little of most of the above.
What we do know is Big East officials have circled the proverbial wagons in regard to the topic. WVU's Pastilong was asked what came out of the league's meetings last week in Ponte Vedra, Fla., on the topic.
"We all talked and agreed that no one would speak on the subject except John Marinatto,'' Pastilong said.
The athletic director was asked if anything in those meetings comforted WVU officials.
"We still have ...'' he began before stopping. He did not say the word "concerns.''
"WVU was part of the formation of Big East football... and we have an allegiance to the conference remaining strong,'' Pastilong said. "I compliment Commissioner Marinatto and his staff for soliciting Paul Tagliabue. His involvement has been invaluable.''
To what degree?
"I've got to be careful there,'' Pastilong said. "That's up to the commissioner.''
Mike Parsons, Pastilong's assistant, was asked about the meetings. He referred the question to his boss, but said he hadn't "heard of anything substantial.''
Marinatto told Florida newspapers his team has "been working quietly, trying not to put things in the public arena, the public forum, for a variety of reasons."
"It leads to unnecessary speculation,'' he said. "You want to do things intelligently, and the more you can keep things confidential, ultimately the better off you are. When things get out there, it creates dynamics sometimes that you have to respond to and focus attention on.''
Marinatto said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany denied to him a move has been made on Rutgers or any other Big East school. "He said, 'John, there's no truth to it. You know I would have called you,''' he said.
Still, Marinatto acknowledges this as "another threat'' and said a Big East network is "definitely on the table.''
"We've brainstormed [with Tagliabue], but nothing I can share with you,'' Marinatto told the Sunshine State papers. "We want to come up with unique ways and creative ways of approaching all the issues.''
Then Marinatto called here on Friday. He said much of the Big East's expansion talks took place on the first day of last week's meetings.
"First, understand we have three full years left on our CBS and ESPN contracts,'' said the commissioner. "We had Paul Tagliabue on a conference call to our group. He put everything on the table. We are analyzing our position.
"There really wasn't anything currently newsworthy. Everyone, though, feels good about where we're at and about our ability to monetize our assets.''
(Marinatto did say Pastilong's wife, Mona, was recognized at the meetings. Called her the "first lady and grandmother.'')
The Big East commissioner then pointed to the Big Ten's June 6 meeting of presidents and chancellors at that league's headquarters in Park Ridge, Ill.
"I don't anticipate anything coming from those meetings,'' Marinatto said.
Indeed, Delany has said as much, that no vote on expansion would be taken then.
Pastilong, meanwhile, was asked if he's concerned about his school being left out when the musical chairs stops.
"I don't want to get into that,'' he said. "During the Big Ten exploration we are having discussions within our conference. And, like with their process, we're keeping ours in-house.''
Whatever the case, this critical, busy time for the Big East, WVU and Marinatto continues. And it will be interesting to keep an eye on the latter of that group.
Keep in mind that Marinatto has quite a burden for a man with a little under a year's experience at the helm.
His former mentor, Mike Tranghese, has been criticized, but the truth is he handled the ACC's raid of the Big East with aplomb. No, Cincinnati's disasters in the last two BCS bowls (the Bearcats were outscored by a combined 71-31 score in 2009 Orange and 2010 Sugar bowls) didn't help the league's reputation. But before that, the conference won three straight BCS bowls. The league's teams may not have been world-beaters since the ACC raid, but they certainly comprised one of the nation's top six conferences over the span.
Now it's time for Marinatto, despite his lack of experience, to make his mark. If a year from now the Big East is sitting pretty, he'll earn respect and cement his status within the league. He'll earn some "juice'' in the eyes of those around the country.
It may be a tough task, but he must make sure he and his conference, as Cher once sang, don't go down in flames.
Yes, just like Jesse James.
By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor
ONE CAN ADD together all the theories behind relativity, evolution, global climate change and Jesse James' decision to step out on Sandra Bullock.
It still wouldn't approach the number of theories on how the Big Ten's expansion exploration will shake out. The Internet is so clogged by expansion theories it could use a version of word Drano.
Anyway, much of the concern in the Mountain State centers on what will happen to the Big East and, more specifically, West Virginia University.
"It's apparent our followers are, as are followers of other conferences, concerned,'' said WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong.
The foremost question remains, however, of what's being done to address those concerns.
Perhaps the most telling comment of late came from former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who is now working with the Big East.
"I don't think that anyone, not in the Big East, is waiting for the Big Ten,'' Tagliabue said via the Associated Press. "We're looking ahead proactively. It starts with ESPN.''
Later, he said, "depending on how [ESPN goes], people [will] look at other alternatives, but it has to start with ESPN. That's where others have ended up. The SEC ended up there, the ACC ended up there. Beyond that, it's hard to speculate.''
It's difficult to know exactly what Tagliabue meant. Was he saying Big East representatives would meet with the network reps and ask what they wish to consume - and then try to serve the best possible dish? Was he saying the league should ask ESPN's advice and/or blessing on possibly forming a Big East network? Might the league ask ESPN if a network partnership with another conference makes sense? Heck, was he saying the Big East might ask ESPN if it would like to be a partner in the formation of a Big East network, a la Fox and the Big Ten?
The latter would be a splendid, if longshot, idea for the beleaguered league. Probably, however, Tagliabue means a little of most of the above.
What we do know is Big East officials have circled the proverbial wagons in regard to the topic. WVU's Pastilong was asked what came out of the league's meetings last week in Ponte Vedra, Fla., on the topic.
"We all talked and agreed that no one would speak on the subject except John Marinatto,'' Pastilong said.
The athletic director was asked if anything in those meetings comforted WVU officials.
"We still have ...'' he began before stopping. He did not say the word "concerns.''
"WVU was part of the formation of Big East football... and we have an allegiance to the conference remaining strong,'' Pastilong said. "I compliment Commissioner Marinatto and his staff for soliciting Paul Tagliabue. His involvement has been invaluable.''
To what degree?
"I've got to be careful there,'' Pastilong said. "That's up to the commissioner.''
Mike Parsons, Pastilong's assistant, was asked about the meetings. He referred the question to his boss, but said he hadn't "heard of anything substantial.''
Marinatto told Florida newspapers his team has "been working quietly, trying not to put things in the public arena, the public forum, for a variety of reasons."
"It leads to unnecessary speculation,'' he said. "You want to do things intelligently, and the more you can keep things confidential, ultimately the better off you are. When things get out there, it creates dynamics sometimes that you have to respond to and focus attention on.''
Marinatto said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany denied to him a move has been made on Rutgers or any other Big East school. "He said, 'John, there's no truth to it. You know I would have called you,''' he said.
Still, Marinatto acknowledges this as "another threat'' and said a Big East network is "definitely on the table.''
"We've brainstormed [with Tagliabue], but nothing I can share with you,'' Marinatto told the Sunshine State papers. "We want to come up with unique ways and creative ways of approaching all the issues.''
Then Marinatto called here on Friday. He said much of the Big East's expansion talks took place on the first day of last week's meetings.
"First, understand we have three full years left on our CBS and ESPN contracts,'' said the commissioner. "We had Paul Tagliabue on a conference call to our group. He put everything on the table. We are analyzing our position.
"There really wasn't anything currently newsworthy. Everyone, though, feels good about where we're at and about our ability to monetize our assets.''
(Marinatto did say Pastilong's wife, Mona, was recognized at the meetings. Called her the "first lady and grandmother.'')
The Big East commissioner then pointed to the Big Ten's June 6 meeting of presidents and chancellors at that league's headquarters in Park Ridge, Ill.
"I don't anticipate anything coming from those meetings,'' Marinatto said.
Indeed, Delany has said as much, that no vote on expansion would be taken then.
Pastilong, meanwhile, was asked if he's concerned about his school being left out when the musical chairs stops.
"I don't want to get into that,'' he said. "During the Big Ten exploration we are having discussions within our conference. And, like with their process, we're keeping ours in-house.''
Whatever the case, this critical, busy time for the Big East, WVU and Marinatto continues. And it will be interesting to keep an eye on the latter of that group.
Keep in mind that Marinatto has quite a burden for a man with a little under a year's experience at the helm.
His former mentor, Mike Tranghese, has been criticized, but the truth is he handled the ACC's raid of the Big East with aplomb. No, Cincinnati's disasters in the last two BCS bowls (the Bearcats were outscored by a combined 71-31 score in 2009 Orange and 2010 Sugar bowls) didn't help the league's reputation. But before that, the conference won three straight BCS bowls. The league's teams may not have been world-beaters since the ACC raid, but they certainly comprised one of the nation's top six conferences over the span.
Now it's time for Marinatto, despite his lack of experience, to make his mark. If a year from now the Big East is sitting pretty, he'll earn respect and cement his status within the league. He'll earn some "juice'' in the eyes of those around the country.
It may be a tough task, but he must make sure he and his conference, as Cher once sang, don't go down in flames.
Yes, just like Jesse James.
