Nick Swisher signing will backfire for Indians per Jim Bowden
January 15, 2013WFNY Podcast – 2013-01-15 – Craig and DP talk NHL lockout, LeBron James and Rob Chudzinski
January 15, 2013The Big Ten Conference has confirmed that they will reconsider the names “Legends” and “Leaders” for their divisions, a change which could be made in anticipation of the 2014 football season. As reported by ESPN, this is prompted by the addition of Rutgers and Maryland, moving the conference to 14 teams, coupled with the Conference not being “tone deaf” to the laughing stock that the names have produced.
Right up there with Crystal Pepsi and the Arch Deluxe in terms of ideas gone wrong, the nationwide backlash regarding the Conference names grew even louder when the two biggest names within the conference — Penn State’s Joe Paterno and Ohio State’s Jim Tressel — were ousted for violating rules of varying degreees.
“I don’t take umbrage to negative reaction,” said Conference President Jim Delaney. “I don’t necessarily change when I hear it. I think on the other hand, we said we would test-market it, and we have for a couple of years. We have the opportunity to look at it again. I’m sure we will. Whether or not we change or not is to be determined. I don’t have any presumption that we’ll change on it, but that doesn’t mean we’re not looking at it.”
The Legends Division presently consists of Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern; the Leaders Division is Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. When deciding on division names in December 2010, Delany said the Big Ten “didn’t have great options.”
Delany said in the next three to four months, his league would look at the Big Ten’s future bowl lineup, divisions, rivalries, branding and “a whole series of related issues.”
[Related: Leaders, Legend, and Balance: A Look Into Big Ten Division Realignment]
22 Comments
Delaney can weasel-word it all he wants, but Leaders and Legends is DEAD! Good riddance.
But in that same spirit, I’d like to suggest an alternative: the Really Awesome Division and the Superior To You Division.
I still think they should change to “Overlords” and “Underlings.”
The Haves and Have Nots.
When deciding on division names in December 2010, Delany said the Big Ten “didn’t have great options.”
Well, most other divisions (in any sport) are geographically driven and given a cardinal direction name …since the divisions in the B1G are not, I guess great options are not available.
I’m thinking it would play out this way:
Overlords/Haves:
Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Nebraska
Wisconsin
2 random others
Underlings/Have Nots
Everyone else
Underperformers in the one division face relegation, while a lower school can play usurper and unseat a better team.
Oh, and only teams from the top division can play in the championship game.
Dumb and Dumber.
Wooden Legs and Dinosaur Eggs
ok, here’s a semi-serious suggestion. how about the Waterfront Division and the Inland Division (I know not perfectly arranged below, but close enough):
WD
Michigan
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Maryland
Rutgers
Minnesota
ID
Ohio State
Nebraska
Penn State
Indiana
Purdue
Illinois
Iowa
MSU > Penn State.
Hmmm. Not so sure. Doesn’t matter. Throw them in, too! And maybe Northwestern?
Hmmm. Not so sure. Doesn’t matter. Throw them in, too! And maybe Northwestern?
I propose ‘Ninjas’ and ‘Pirates.’
Not bad , bode. But you really gotta find something better to do with your time.
Check that. No you don’t.
those who consider adult-ADD an affliction just haven’t figured out how to master it yet 🙂
Illinois is the most recent Rose Bowl participant of the “others.” I believe that gets them the tiebreaker (and the odds-on favorite to be relegated the first year).
LMAO
Best screen name ever. Love it.
Would it honestly surprise anyone if it ends up being the General Motors Division and the Walgreens Division?
The sad part is, I actually like that better than Leaders and Legends
Ford would be up-in-arms if a conference with Michigan had a GM division. Great idea on selling the naming rights though. Why not? Division names are worthless anyway, so they may as well get some $$$ out of it. Perhaps even donate that $$$ directly to charitable causes for the good press.
Since the rest of the country thinks the Big Ten is awful at football, let’s split them into two sports that they’re great at:
The Basketball Division:
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Purdue
Michigan
The Wrestling Division:
Penn State
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Ohio State
Northwestern
Rutgers (by default)
Maryland has a fantastic wrestling program.
And “hockey” is upset to get left off this list.