No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: Nicole Auerbach Talks Conference Realignment & WBB
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman
Guest: Nicole Auerbach, Senior Writer at The Athletic

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, host Zena Keita engages in a deep dive with Nicole Auerbach, a senior writer at The Athletic, to explore the intricate dynamics of conference realignment and its profound impact on women's basketball (WBB). Moving beyond the often football-centric discussions, the conversation unearths how these shifts reshape the landscape for female athletes, coaching staff, and the broader collegiate sports ecosystem.

Historical Context of Conference Realignment

Nicole begins by contextualizing the current wave of conference realignment within historical patterns, highlighting significant past movements that have reshaped college sports.

Nicole Auerbach [06:41]: "We could go back to the Big Ten adding Rutgers and Maryland and the impact of all of that... the ACC as we knew it turned into the American Athletic Conference."

She emphasizes the transformation during the early 2010s when the Big East morphed into the American Athletic Conference, and major schools like Rutgers and Maryland joined the Big Ten, expanding its footprint eastward.

The Current Wave and PAC12’s Struggles

The conversation shifts to the present, focusing on the tumultuous state of the PAC12. Nicole outlines the major moves:

• USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten
• Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State moving to the Big 12
• The remaining Washington State and Oregon State battling to preserve the PAC12

Nicole Auerbach [19:40]: "Washington State and Oregon State... are fighting for control of what's left of the PAC12."

She explains the legal battles these schools are engaged in to maintain the conference's legacy amidst the exodus of other member institutions.

Impact on Women's Basketball

Zena steers the discussion towards women's basketball, probing how conference realignment affects the sport specifically.

Zena Keita [09:28]: "Knowing you have more games and thinking of a Stanford potentially joining an ACC... I cannot wrap my mind around it."

Nicole elaborates on the logistical nightmares of increased travel distances for WBB programs, which can strain student-athletes' academic and athletic commitments.

Nicole Auerbach [22:35]: "A lot of these schools are trying to listen to those athletes, hear from them what's most important."

Student-Athletes and Recruitment Challenges

The hosts delve into the ramifications for student-athletes, including increased travel burdens and the strategic importance of brand value in recruitment.

Nicole Auerbach [31:32]: "The bar to clear to enter one of these conferences is so high... You have to be a school that is at least $60 million per year valuable."

Zena shares a poignant anecdote about a soccer player who leverages her injury as an opportunity to enhance her brand through the realignment, underscoring the strategic mindset of modern athletes.

Media Rights and Financial Implications

Nicole discusses the pivotal role of media partnerships and financial incentives driving conference realignment.

Nicole Auerbach [33:59]: "The SEC is going to be like ESPN is going to have exclusive rights to the SEC... you have to be somewhere you have money to pay whatever you're going to need to do."

She highlights how lucrative media deals, such as the Big Ten's substantial payouts, create a high-stakes environment where conferences vie for financial dominance, directly impacting the resources available for women's programs.

Broader Impact on Other Sports and Olympic Pipelines

The conversation broadens to include the influence of conference changes on other collegiate sports, particularly those feeding into the Olympics.

Nicole Auerbach [35:58]: "College programs have been the Olympic pipeline... the USOC has gotten very involved."

Nicole underscores the vulnerability of Olympic sports programs to financial instability caused by realignment, which could jeopardize the development pipeline for future Olympians.

Off-Script: Team USA vs. College Teams Tradition

In an engaging off-script segment, Zena discusses the tradition of Team USA Women's Basketball playing exhibition games against collegiate programs, a practice that benefits both the national team and the participating schools.

Zena Keita [40:28]: "Having their exhibition game so close to the season and being able to utilize that to figure out who's ready for the season... it's a mutually beneficial relationship."

This segment highlights the symbiotic relationship that aids in preparing the national team while providing valuable experience for college athletes.

Conclusion

The episode culminates with reflections on the interconnectedness of conference realignment with various facets of collegiate sports, emphasizing that the shifts extend far beyond football, deeply affecting women's basketball and other athletic programs. Nicole Auerbach's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on the ongoing transformations in college athletics.

Zena Keita [40:26]: "This is way bigger than just football... it's also the student athletes, the administrations, the coaches, the students of the schools."

As the episode wraps up, listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the evolving landscape of women's basketball through continued listening and support.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nicole Auerbach [06:41]: "We are going to see a new world order next year."
• Zena Keita [09:28]: "Knowing you have more games and thinking of a Stanford potentially joining an ACC... I cannot wrap my mind around it."
• Nicole Auerbach [22:35]: "A lot of these schools are trying to listen to those athletes, hear from them what's most important."
• Nicole Auerbach [31:32]: "You have to be a school that is at least $60 million per year valuable."
• Zena Keita [40:26]: "This is way bigger than just football... it's also the student athletes, the administrations, the coaches, the students of the schools."

This episode of No Offseason serves as a crucial resource for understanding the multifaceted impact of conference realignment on women's basketball, offering valuable insights from a seasoned sports writer. Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, or avid fan, the discussion underscores the importance of staying informed about the evolving dynamics shaping the future of collegiate sports.