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Conference realignment rumors: Key B1G program reportedly not supportive of further expansion
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Conference realignment rumors continue to swirl this offseason, even in the wake of the B1G’s new media rights deal that was completed ahead of the 2022 football season.
With the way that new deal is compiled, there are escalators that increase the value of the deal over the first few years of the contract. Some have speculated part of the reasoning for those escalators is to allow the B1G to go after additional programs in expansion.
However, one Pac-12 insider reported odds of B1G expansion in this cycle have “diminished.” According to Jon Wilner, there is a belief that Ohio State would not support further moves.
Line movement: #Pac12 survival now a 5-point favorite over extinction, up from 4.5
The reason: Chances of more B1G expansion this cycle have diminished. We do not believe Ohio State supports additional moves, and that's a BIG vote against
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 30, 2022
Even if the Buckeyes are opposed to future expansion moves, that does not guarantee the B1G would indeed stand pat moving forward. Then again, if the right programs were targeted, it is possible Ohio State would still be in favor of the right moves.
We’ll see how things progress moving forward.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.