MEGA Conference Realignment and lawsuits Megathread: Stories, Tales, Lies, and Exaggerations

[Hold My Beer]

On the surface for what's been shared so far, it definitely looks like a bad deal and I think the social media world is right to shame it for what it is right now. I don't think it's really a hot take to suggest, based on what's been publicly shared, that what the B12 giving up for $1.25m per school per year is ridiculous.

There is *some* market value deals out there already and this B12 deal doesn't look good compared to them.

Let's see if that's an apples-to-apples comparison.

Read an article that indicated the Monster patches were more along the lines of a smaller, secondary-type logo - essentially a sponsored version of the Big XII conference logo we see on jerseys and courts and for which the schools haven't been getting paid.

It doesn't preclude schools selling their own separate logo sponsorship for jerseys, fields or courts for whatever their particular asking price.

Makes sense and essentially (if the numbers are correct) it's getting an additional $1.25M generated by the Big XII office at the cost of some more NASCAR-ism with uniforms and facilities.

All of which was inevitable once College Sports officially entered the pay-for-play world

 

[Hold My Beer]

Possibly something like this:

Monster/Big XII logo on one side

Move Nike logo above or below Monster/Big XII logo

School's own larger (primary) logo sponsorship deal near the other shoulder

Again, the NASCAR template

 

[Yoyo423]

Let's see if that's an apples-to-apples comparison.

Read an article that indicated the Monster patches were more along the lines of a smaller, secondary-type logo - essentially a sponsored version of the Big XII conference logo we see on jerseys and courts and for which the schools haven't been getting paid.

It doesn't preclude schools selling their own separate logo sponsorship for jerseys, fields or courts for whatever their particular asking price.

Makes sense and essentially (if the numbers are correct) it's getting an additional $1.25M generated by the Big XII office at the cost of some more NASCAR-ism with uniforms and facilities.

All of which was inevitable once College Sports officially entered the pay-for-play world

The patch is just a part of the deal. But even calling it "the Monster Energy big12 conference" every time big 12 is mentioned, which I imagine is exclusive, as well as the logo on the fields is worth more than $1.25mil per year per school.

 

[Hold My Beer]

The patch is just a part of the deal. But even calling it "the Monster Energy big12 conference" every time big 12 is mentioned, which I imagine is exclusive, as well as the logo on the fields is worth more than $1.25mil per year per school.

I'm not gonna call it the Monster Big XII. You're not gonna call it the Monster Big XII. Most people that write or talk about College Football ain't gonna call it that.

ESPN and FOX probably won't do so on any kind of regular basis, either... unless Monster and its parent company pay them a ****load of additional money specifically to do so (which is unlikely).

It's like driving behind a vehicle with an FSU or UF bumper sticker; a minor annoyance but in the big picture, it's inconsequential

 

[n0rcalcane]

The patch is just a part of the deal. But even calling it "the Monster Energy big12 conference" every time big 12 is mentioned, which I imagine is exclusive, as well as the logo on the fields is worth more than $1.25mil per year per school.

I'm not gonna call it the Monster Big XII. You're not gonna call the Monster Big XII. Most people that write or talk about College Football ain't gonna call it that.

ESPN and FOX probably won't do so on any kind of regular basis, either... unless Monster and its parent company pay them a ****load of additional money specifically to do so (which is unlikely).

It's like driving behind a vehicle with an FSU or UF bumper sticker; a minor annoyance but in the big picture, it's inconsequential

If the numbers are truly the numbers reported, it’s a bad move. Period. Not sure why you’re so defensive about that.

“Minor convenience” isn’t the point. That jersey space and deal should be worth a lot more than $1.25m per school.

By the way, because of the deal, Fox Sports/ESPN will need to consistently use the name “Monster Energy Big 12 Football” much like ESPN did for the “T. Rowe Price ACC Basketball Tournament.” Thats embarrassing for a conference supposedly competing with the SEC and B1G.

 

[OriginalCanesCanesCanes]

If we see pushback (even off the record) from multiple ADs who suggest they were strong-armed into the deal by Yormark and/or their presidents, then no -- Pate and others who criticize it wouldn't be wrong.

But even if it means waiting a bit, I'd rather hear from someone who A) is familar with all details of the contract and B) knows what fair-market value would be for such an agreement

I mean, sure, on the surface it seems really low end, but you are correct in understanding that one has to know much more, i.e. get under the hood, before you totally **** on something like this.

Pate‘s **** swinging (he’d fire his staff) is a little much considering he has very little information and is certainly not an expert on these types of contractual agreements. So I get where you’re coming from.

 

[Hold My Beer]

I mean, sure, on the surface it seems really low end, but you are correct in understanding that one has to know much more, i.e. get under the hood, before you totally **** on something like this.

Absolutely.

This could to be a deal the Big XII worked up and brought to the schools and it costs them nothing for an additional $1.5 million other than having to sew on some patches and slap down some logos.

Perhaps the Big XII itself is getting a big check and that results in the schools having to send less money back to the conference.

We don't know until we know

If the numbers are truly the numbers reported, it’s a bad move. Period. Not sure why you’re so defensive about that.

Not at all, mi amigo

If we see pushback (even off the record) from multiple ADs who suggest they were strong-armed into the deal by Yormark and/or their presidents, then no -- Pate and others who criticize it wouldn't be wrong.

But even if it means waiting a bit, I'd rather hear from someone who A) is familar with all details of the contract and B) knows what fair-market value would be for such an agreement

Just want to learn what's what

 

[OriginalCanesCanesCanes]

Absolutely.

This could to be a deal the Big XII worked up and brought to the schools and it costs them nothing for an additiional $1.5 million to sew on some partches and slap down some logos..

Perhaps the Big XII itself is getting a big check and that results in the schools having to send less money back to the conference.

We don't know until we know



Not at all, mi amigo



Just want to learn what's what

We don’t know what we don’t know.

 

[Hold My Beer]

Pate‘s **** swinging (he’d fire his staff) is a little much ...

Yeah, that came across like a "y'all do know I got folks working for me, right" flex

 

[5NC4]

The BIG 10 refs throw fewer flags than any other conference.
9 of the top 10 least penalized teams in CFB in '25 were from the BIG 10. That CAN'T be because all those teams play 'clean'.
Yet, we get hit with a targeting call that keeps our starting db out of the first half or the Natty, smh.

Lucas turns his head to the left just before the tackle....but he "lunged".
Someone has to explain to me how you run from point A to point B (to tackle) without forward momentum.

Just remember that those same B1G refs took out our CB against Ole **** because they knew Miami would be playing a B1G team in the national championship. It adversely affected the game to because our CBs played way off the LOS in the 1st half and tighter to the LOS in the second half of the game.

 

[brcane1]

Ummm....

You mean tbe fastest growing population centers and the Nation's emerging economic powerhouses?

Friend, you gotta get outside your county a spell or two.

Texas A&M is doing some heavy lifting in this statement along with the rapidly connecting Nashville - Huntsville area.

Beyond that the growth is more likely to be claimed by GT, Clemson, and Tobacco Road than the rest of the SEC.

 

[Empirical Cane]

Texas A&M is doing some heavy lifting in this statement along with the rapidly connecting Nashville - Huntsville area.

Beyond that the growth is more likely to be claimed by GT, Clemson, and Tobacco Road than the rest of the SEC.

 

[Angry Ibis]

View attachment 367084

Look close and I think the stack of cash is wearing Nike...

 

[Shogungts]

Oh a side note - **** Monster and other patent bullies like them.

I had a friend whose husband started Thunder Beast Root beer. Despite not being an energy drink, coming in a glass bottle and having a name and logo that look nothing like Monster, they sued him saying that customers might confuse his drink for theirs b/c it has beast in the name and Monster has a slogan that says 'unleash the beast'. This is from an article while it was going on:

​

Thunder Beast, a small DC root beer company, is fighting trademark violation allegations from California-based Monster Energy Corporation. About a year ago, Thunder Beast, which operates out of the TasteLab food incubator in Northeast, received a cease-and-desist letter from Monster over the use of the word “beast” in the company name.​

​

In its letter, Monster argued customers might accidentally buy one of Thunder Beast’s bison-emblazoned beverages when they intended to buy an energy drink. Monster claims Thunder Beast infringes on its brand, which includes trademarked slogans such as “PUMP UP THE BEAST” and “UNLEASH THE ULTRA BEAST,” its petition for cancellation reads.​

​

Monster Energy Attempts To Run From Laughable Trademark Spat It Started With Thunder Beast Root Beer - Above the Law

Red Bull gives you wings, Monster gives you ridiculous trademark fights.

abovethelaw.com

​

He decided to fight them and they eventually settled, but it was ridiculous that a (very) small company had to go through that and it was a gamble on his part as if he didnt win, he would been drowned in legal costs.

This is what his root beer looks like

 

[Empirical Cane]

Oh a side note - **** Monster and other patent bullies like them.

I had a friend whose husband started Thunderbeast Root beer. Despite not being an energy drink, coming in a glass bottle and having a name and logo that look nothing like Monster, they sued him saying that customers might confuse his drink for theirs b/c it has beast in the name and Monster has a slogan that says 'unleash the beast'. This is from an article while it was going on:

​

Thunder Beast, a small DC root beer company, is fighting trademark violation allegations from California-based Monster Energy Corporation. About a year ago, Thunder Beast, which operates out of the TasteLab food incubator in Northeast, received a cease-and-desist letter from Monster over the use of the word “beast” in the company name.​

​

In its letter, Monster argued customers might accidentally buy one of Thunder Beast’s bison-emblazoned beverages when they intended to buy an energy drink. Monster claims Thunder Beast infringes on its brand, which includes trademarked slogans such as “PUMP UP THE BEAST” and “UNLEASH THE ULTRA BEAST,” its petition for cancellation reads.​

​

Monster Energy Attempts To Run From Laughable Trademark Spat It Started With Thunder Beast Root Beer - Above the Law

Red Bull gives you wings, Monster gives you ridiculous trademark fights.

abovethelaw.com

​

He decided to fight them and they eventually settled, but it was ridiculous that a (very) small company had to go through that and it was a gamble on his part as if he didnt win, he would been drowned in legal costs.

This is what his root beer looks like

View attachment 367089

 

[Handsome Squidbum]

Why would Big XII administators — not one, but likely from most if not all of the Big XII's 16 schools — sign off on a deal that would cause a podcaster with 290k followers to fire his staff were they to agree to such a thing?

Why would every school in a major conference sign a multi-decade tv deal and GOR that was unanimously viewed as being massively lopsided in favor of the tv networks and was so bad that the conference commissioner was suspected of insider dealing to benefit his tv executive son?

 

[Hold My Beer]

Why would every school in a major conference sign a tv deal that was unanimously viewed as being massively lopsided in favor of the tv networks

Was it viewed as massively lopsided in 2016? The common belief seemed to be "wow, a 20-year-deal. That's some real security."

The media's and public's understanding were less sophisticated 10 years ago. Same goes for the university presidents who took Swofford at his word

and was so bad that the conference commissioner was suspected of insider dealing to benefit his tv executive son?

It was bad because because the ACC member schools did give up something -- including their freedom to leave the conference without a massive penalty -- to help Swofford make sure Raycom (and thus his son) were taken care of via the deal with ESPN.

In the case, schools aren't relinquishing anything close to as significant. The uniforms, fields and courts have had and likely always will have a Big XII logo (inventory the schools wouldn't have the authority to sell on their own) and for which they were paid nothing. Now they'll have a combined Big XII/Monster logo likely taking up a similar amount of space for which they'll reportedly receive $1.5M annually

 

[TheOriginalCane]

Why would every school in a major conference sign a multi-decade tv deal and GOR that was unanimously viewed as being massively lopsided in favor of the tv networks and was so bad that the conference commissioner was suspected of insider dealing to benefit his tv executive son?

The GOR and the Jefferson Pilot deal were two separate issues.

 

[Empirical Cane]

Why would every school in a major conference sign a multi-decade tv deal and GOR that was unanimously viewed as being massively lopsided in favor of the tv networks and was so bad that the conference commissioner was suspected of insider dealing to benefit his tv executive son?

Let the CIS media experts cook!

 

[We'retheBoss]

BYU only allowed the sale of soda on their campus a decade ago, giving those kids more visibility into Monster is going to turn them into super soakers