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

[caneingville]

More about the Big Ten private equity potential deal, this time including the legal antitrust issues in play. The article argues that the creation of BTE will essentially guarantee that student-athletes will be found to be university employees, given the vast amount of precedent.

The opening paragraph also included a few notes I found pertinent:

- BTE would have 20 equity shares for the 18 member schools, the Big 10, and an investor share.

- BTE would serve as the conference’s hub for media rights, sponsorships and other revenue streams, while the Big Ten would continue to oversee scheduling, officiating and championships.

- Member schools would receive a “nine-figure” upfront payment.

- Negotiations also involve a 10-year extension of the Big Ten’s grant of rights until 2046.

Problem is, of course, the BTE would immediately be vulnerable to litigation and unionization, as soon as the deal goes through, as would every member university. So it’s a double-edged sword. But will the money be worth it?

Big Ten Private Equity Deal Could Expand NCAA Legal Controversies

As the Big Ten reportedly is set to sign a multi-billion dollar private capital deal, potential legal claims of athletes in the Big Ten could change.

www.sportico.com

 

[Tony4Canes]

 

[caneingville]

This is even more interesting than it seems on its face. Not only would both the BTE and the deals other schools (e.g., Boise State) have been working on would be a no-go if this passes, but it seems the bill may include more generic language intended to prevent any type of non-traditional college sports organization from entering the playing field (pun intended).

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference Private-Equity Deals​

The legislation was introduced just days after reports came out that the Big Ten was considering a $2 billion private-capital deal.

The seven-page “Protect College Sports from Private Equity and Foreign Influence Act” (the PROTECT Act), would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to say that no school or conference could sell an ownership stake or transfer “profit, net-revenue, or gross revenue” to a sovereign wealth fund, private equity fund, or hedge fund. (That includes outside entities created to spin off assets like media rights or real estate.)

It also prohibits any type of deal that “grants such firm or fund control rights over athletics decisions, institutional branding, scheduling, personnel, or student participation.”

Other financial agreements, like donor gifts, bank loans, public bonds, or vendor contracts would still be allowed, however.

It also prohibits any type of deal that “grants such firm or fund control rights over athletics decisions, institutional branding, scheduling, personnel, or student participation.”

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference PE Deals

The legislation was introduced just days after reports came out that the Big Ten was considering a $2 billion private-capital deal.

frontofficesports.com

 

[Empirical Cane]

This is even more interesting than it seems on its face. Not only would both the BTE and the deals other schools (e.g., Boise State) have been working on would be a no-go if this passes, but it seems the bill may include more generic language intended to prevent any type of non-traditional college sports organization from entering the playing field (pun intended).

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference Private-Equity Deals​

The legislation was introduced just days after reports came out that the Big Ten was considering a $2 billion private-capital deal.

The seven-page “Protect College Sports from Private Equity and Foreign Influence Act” (the PROTECT Act), would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to say that no school or conference could sell an ownership stake or transfer “profit, net-revenue, or gross revenue” to a sovereign wealth fund, private equity fund, or hedge fund. (That includes outside entities created to spin off assets like media rights or real estate.)

It also prohibits any type of deal that “grants such firm or fund control rights over athletics decisions, institutional branding, scheduling, personnel, or student participation.”

Other financial agreements, like donor gifts, bank loans, public bonds, or vendor contracts would still be allowed, however.

It also prohibits any type of deal that “grants such firm or fund control rights over athletics decisions, institutional branding, scheduling, personnel, or student participation.”

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference PE Deals

The legislation was introduced just days after reports came out that the Big Ten was considering a $2 billion private-capital deal.

frontofficesports.com

****'t meng!

Miami needs some Aramco investment.

 

[caneingville]

****'t meng!

Miami needs some Aramco investment.

Hey, it's only a bill right now, it's got a long way to go.

Remember...I'm just a bill...sitting on Capitol Hill...

I may die in Committee....

 

[We'retheBoss]

I was hoping PE would load up Purdue with debt, then dismantle it and sell off the pieces

 

[Peachycarnahan]

Hey, it's only a bill right now, it's got a long way to go.

Remember...I'm just a bill...sitting on Capitol Hill...

I may die in Committee....

 

[Genghis Cane]

Are we leaving the ACC yet?

 

[CaneinBroward]

The House leaves DC, but has time to publicize this bill right after the B1G PE news comes out?

 

[Empirical Cane]

I was hoping PE would load up Purdue with debt, then dismantle it and sell off the pieces

 

[Empirical Cane]

Are we leaving the ACC yet?

by porst #60,000...

 

[Empirical Cane]

The House leaves DC, but has time to publicize this bill right after the B1G PE news comes out?

#Priorities

 

[Tony4Canes]

 

[caneingville]

I love all the people in the comments saying they should use the money to buy their way out of the ACC...

 

[JD08]

Are we leaving the ACC yet?

Who leaves first? Miami or Norvell?

 

[Hold My Beer]

I love all the people in the comments saying they should use the money to buy their way out of the ACC...

B1G/SEC: "Tell us your institution is truly serious about football specifically and athletics in general. We're not interested in adding schools who are content with never contending for playoff berths as long as they're depositing those huge media rights and CFP checks."

VA Tech: "We're increasing our athletics budget $229M over the next four years."

Stanford: "A former player just donated $50M to the football program."

Miami: "Look at the rankings, buddy"

Even UNC can say, "Hey, Bill Belichick is a train wreck, but we spent well into eight figures trying to get football right instead of going cheap and hiring some up-and-comer nobody's ever heard of."

 

[caneingville]

Who leaves first? Miami or Norvell?

I don't mind Norvell staying in the ACC...

B1G/SEC: "Tell us your institution is truly serious about football specifically and athletics in general. We're not interested in adding schools who are content with never contending for playoff berths as long as they're depositing those huge media rights and CFP checks."

VA Tech: "We're increasing our athletics budget $229M over the next four years."

Stanford: "A former player just donated $50M to the football program."

Miami: "Look at the rankings, buddy"

Even UNC can say, "Hey, Bill Belichick is a train wreck, but we spent well into eight figures trying to get football right instead of going cheap and hiring some up-and-comer nobody's ever heard of."

Sounds like FSU and UF might be out...

 

[Angry Ibis]

B1G/SEC: "Tell us your institution is truly serious about football specifically and athletics in general. We're not interested in adding schools who are content with never contending for playoff berths as long as they're depositing those huge media rights and CFP checks."

VA Tech: "We're increasing our athletics budget $229M over the next four years."

Stanford: "A former player just donated $50M to the football program."

Miami: "Look at the rankings, buddy"

Even UNC can say, "Hey, Bill Belichick is a train wreck, but we spent well into eight figures trying to get football right instead of going cheap and hiring some up-and-comer nobody's ever heard of."

When all the thread peacocks said Rad and Miami were playing chess... seems they meant we were literally just playing chess.

#thingschange
#MiamitotheB1GSECXII

 

[3FW]

How would UF be out? Stanford is interesting. If this was 15 years ago, they would likely be in the Big 10 now.

 

[caneingville]

How would UF be out? Stanford is interesting. If this was 15 years ago, they would likely be in the Big 10 now.

It was a joke about how the UF brass is now just content with never contending for playoff berths as long as they're depositing those huge media rights checks.