Answer Sunday! (Part 2)

In this segment, questions about the Big Ten-Pac-12 alliance and Nike.

Q: Trojan Conquest said:
With Oregon’s special treatment with Nike, why hasn’t USC looked elsewhere such as Under Armour? How much does USC and Oregon get from Nike?

A: USC’s deal with Nike is not a matter of public record. However, I do know at one time it was not considered to be as good as Nike’s deals with schools like Michigan. I know even Lane Kiffin’s told me he wanted to make sure USC received the same type of uniform material as Oregon, which seems to always get the cutting edge technology first.
Phil Knight visited USC’s suite in the Oregon pressbox and seemed to get along well with USC officials, so I don’t think the relationship is in jeopardy.

Q: BENTLEY TOM said:
Scott,
The major football clubs of Europe are tiring of the dictatorial rule of Sepp Blatter, of the demands on club players to play increasing number of matches for their home countries and the number of injuries that have occurred to players due to the strain of playing so many club and FIFA featured games. A European Super League would create a greater level of play; seeing Man United play Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona etc would certainly be preferable to watching matches with Wigan, Blackburn and even Fulham (pathetic last week). A league like this would certainly be an easier sell in this country given the promise of top clubs to be seen more frequently than the Champions’ League matches. El Classico lost the veneer last year with so many games played so frequently. Do you see this league starting within 3 years? Promoted properly this would make basketball and hockey minor league sports quickly and be complementary with pro and college football. A USC question, with the new deal between the Pac 12 and the Big 10, how often would USC have home and home games with Big 10 teams? I would enjoy seeing Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska or Ohio State playing here every other year.

A: It might be impossible to stop a Super League in Europe the way the money is increasing worldwide. Even Liverpool made some noise recently about having its own TV deal. I don’t think it is three years away but it might be inevitable.
USC is supposed to alternate with Big Ten teams home-and-away starting in 2017 under the new alliance. No details are really avaialble yet. I’ve already expressed doubts about how this helps USC: Does it create a rematch in the Rose Bowl? Does it hurt USC to play a poor Big Ten team for its BCS ranking? Does USC really want to play two of its three games in a year against teams from Indiana (Purdue, Indiana, Notre Dame)?

One thought on “Answer Sunday! (Part 2)

  1. Why do I even bother?
    Michigan is Adidas.
    So Knight just shows up at SC’s suite and everything is OK?
    Bottom line, why does USC support Nike when Nike supports Oregon more?

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