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B1G Commissioner Jim Delany kicked off Media Days on Monday by taking the podium first and addressing the media in Chicago.
Delany opened the day as the ultimate optimist, citing the conference’s in-stadium attendance growth, 77 percent winning rate over other Power Five opponents and discussing the B1G’s bowl success this past season. Following his opening comments, he was peppered with questions about the division imbalance in the league, nine-game scheduling, professionalism vs. amateurism, sports gambling, and, of course, his 30 years of service to the conference.
Here are some of the more interesting comments Delany had during his 30 minutes at the podium in Chicago.
On the imbalance of East-West divisions:
Delany asked about competitive balance of divisions … says fan bases have wanted more geographic rivalries. Says he believes balance is fluid. Doesn't sound like changes coming anytime soon
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) July 23, 2018
Sorry, B1G East teams (especially Maryland, Rut & Indiana): Jim Delany says “I don’t think there will be any change” to East-West imbalance. Points to decade of SEC East dominance.
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) July 23, 2018
On the nine-game league schedule:
B1G commissioner Jim Delany asked about 9-game league schedule and getting to Playoff: Says the schedule makes going undefeated more difficult and notes that the committee has yet to select a 2-loss team to the CFP.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 23, 2018
Delany on gambling: Going to have to educate students. Doesn't think they're more vulnerable today. Have to double down on educational element. Delany supports gambling models that leave out college or protects college. On injury report, "I think we need to do that nationally."
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) July 23, 2018
On the legalization of sports gambling:
#B1G commissioner Jim Delany says a player availability report — including injuries, transgressions, anything that could keep someone out — should be available. "It's something we should do and probably should have done it before."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 23, 2018
Delany said Big Ten would prefer a federal framework that would prohibit college sports gambling. Short of that, he'd like to see a uniform set of rules. As for an injury report, he wouldn't term it that way but said having a "player availability" list is a good idea.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) July 23, 2018
On playing Friday night games:
Friday night football will still be there going forward, per Jim Delany.
Two games scheduled this year outside of Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends— mike carmin (@mike_carmin) July 23, 2018
On his 30 years as commissioner:
Asked about his tenure and a moment to reflect, this might be the first time I've ever heard Jim Delany chuckle and smile at a press conference. "Let me put it this way," he says, "in 30 years, you see a lot."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) July 23, 2018
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB