Sperber had a line is his book that Notre Dame's nationwide appeal led to a profitable model that was historically unique, and that those who tried to emulate it produced "runners up and red ink".
The SEC is the "new" model, unfortunately, and I expect those who try to emulate it will continue to drown in red ink. It can't last ... these conferences are simply going to explode. All it will take is Texas going independent, or Penn State renewing their independent status. Or maybe just a gander at BYU's success as a newfound independent will give some of the engines that pull the various conferences an excuse to bolt.
I agree with one of the earlier post about basketball schools like IU, Duke, Kentucky and Kansas minimizing investment in football just to keep conference membership. As a result there may be more basketball-only leagues in the future. In fact the ACC could wind up becoming one.
