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Message: <blockquote data-quote="crazedstatefan" data-source="post: 129512552" data-attributes="member: 1648040">Greetings Mountaineers.  Like you all, I spend too much time thinking about the Big 12 and realignment, considering I am not paid to be doing that.  I sent the below email to your President this morning.  Thought you all might be interested in the idea."I am an Iowa State alum and Cyclone fan who appreciates the huge importance of strengthening and solidifying the Big 12.  I think David Boren is right to focus on the Longhorn Network as both a problem and opportunity for the Big 12.  It makes sense to me that Texas might be open to changes to the Longhorn Network given the market challenges that network has encountered, as long as Texas is kept financially whole.  I'd like to suggest an idea on how the Big 12 could leverage the Longhorn Network, and get West Virginia some neighbors in the Big 12 --With the Longhorn Network, the Big 12 has an existing, functioning network but lacks population (and cable subscribers) across its territory.  The ACC has a ton of population in its territory but lacks a network with any cable deals or infrastructure. I think there is an opportunity for collaboration here. The solution is an alliance - the Big 24.  The ACC would contribute Pitt and Louisville to the Big 12. The Big 12 would contribute Longhorn Network to the ACC.  Each conference would be merged for marketing purposes into the Big 24.  The Big 24 would be divided into a 12 team Central Division (consisting of the existing Big 12 teams plus Pitt and Louisville) and a 12 team Atlantic Division (consisting of the existing ACC teams minus Pitt and Louisville). After Texas gets a guaranteed $15M in payments from Big 24 Network, remaining Big 24 Network payments would be split equally between all Big 24 schools.  However, each division of the Big 24 would keep its existing championships, scheduling arrangements, media and bowl rights deals, and other sources of revenue intact.  Thus, except for Big 24 Network payments, revenues would not be shared across divisions.  Longer term, an opportunity would exist in 2025 to negotiate Tier 1 and 2 deals as one entity with networks and participate in other profit sharing as agreed.  The Pac 12 could be invited to join the alliance in 2025 too, which would add a 12 Pacific Division.Perhaps a Big 24 Alliance is a pipe dream.  But an alliance as I've described could really solidify the long term futures of both conferences, and get West Virginia some neighbors in the conference.  Thanks."</blockquote>

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