I honestly think the future will see the big network money dry up almost completely. I don't think that is where the growth will come from.

Perhaps it is with "independent" universities that can stand on their own feet, produce their own channels and stations, and content. There are some universities that are poised to do just that.

What if the future...conferences were almost a thing of the past...or the "new" conference would be a conglomeration of big universities that will run their own show, receive ALL the money that they can generate and they don't share it. However, each member in that "conference" will do the same. So...when you are on the road, you get your expenses paid...but, when you are home, you take in ALL the money, you broadcast your own game, subscribers to the "BYU" channel will get the games etc. Obviously, you pay the fee for BYU station and you get access to the away games as well...part of the gig.

But..the next "super-conference" could look like this (because of the resources, size, capability etc)
Eastern..................South.....................Central..............West
Michigan................Alabama.................Texas..................Washington
Michigan St............Tennessee...............Oklahoma...........USC
Ohio State..............Florida...................LSU....................UCLA
Notre Dame............Georgia..................Notre Dame ..........BYU

Seems a far stretch to see BYU in there with all those other big name programs...but, it's only for the fact that BYU is "ready" to go. They are at the forefront, along with Texas in whom we helped get ready.

So...say BYU expands LES...to 85k....and we produce our games (in all sports)...when these other programs come to town. Our money. We go on the road and play at Ohio St...their money. But...all teams are in this together, they rotate around so that everyone gets their piece of the pie. Michigan with their enormous base, sells individual packages to their fan base and anyone else who is interested...and they get the money. Same with BYU...we make less money than Michigan, but we make a ton, and what we make, is ours.

The conference is made up of the big programs with the fanbase, and the capabilities to pull it off. BYU could be a player because of their our faith scattered all over, and playing against big programs week in and week out, and being "in the elite" would see us once again nab all the top LDS talent and we'd have our day in the sun every so often in something.

I'm wacked...but, I kind of see this as to where things will go. With technology progressing the way it is...it is not a stretch for each university to broadcast their own material. Why carry the Vanderbuilts of the conferences and the Iowa St's any longer. The disparity is great within the conferences as it stands...why not just blow it all up, make the commitment to something like this, and then...you're off to the races.