(07-23-2015 12:24 PM)FrancisDrake Wrote:  

(07-23-2015 11:57 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(07-23-2015 11:23 AM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  Now the Big 12 owns both the names of Big 14 and Big 16, so what happens if they go to 14? My guess is they add BYU, Cincinnati, Memphis and CSU. That's a bunch of new TV sets for football, plus Cincinnati and Memphis add excellent basketball programs and help get WVA off there island!

They do not have registered federal trademarks for these names.

They abandoned the Big 14 trademark in 2012 and never had one for 16.

The Big 10 made it ok --- apparently.

(07-23-2015 12:21 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  

(07-23-2015 11:57 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(07-23-2015 11:23 AM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  Now the Big 12 owns both the names of Big 14 and Big 16, so what happens if they go to 14? My guess is they add BYU, Cincinnati, Memphis and CSU. That's a bunch of new TV sets for football, plus Cincinnati and Memphis add excellent basketball programs and help get WVA off there island!

They do not have registered federal trademarks for these names.

No one has registered those names? Surprising.

Very boring trademark law related post ahead. Keep scrolling down; you've been warned.

Short and sweet summary: there are a few different ways to submit a federal registration, both of which eventually require actual use in commerce. The first is the most common form, which requires that the mark be used in commerce at the time of registration; hence, the Big 12 couldn't register the Big 14 until it actually became the Big 14. Alternatively, you can register on an "intent to use" basis, which does not require use in commerce when the application is submitted, but you must show use in commerce no later than six months after initial approval of the mark. (You can also get additional six month extensions to show use in commerce for up to three years).

So long story short, if the Big 12 wants to morph into the Big 14, you probably won't get any clues by searching federal trademark registrations until it's already happened or very shortly before. A registration pre-expansion also isn't likely for other reasons, but I'll spare you more law jargon. Sadly, your best source for sleuthing about realignment is still the twitter.

(07-23-2015 10:17 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  Orlando passed Cincy in size a few years ago.

Some of the information I quoted in my previous post was from 2010, so I wouldn't be surprised if the gap has widened since then.

(07-23-2015 09:14 AM)No Bull Wrote:  Guys I love UCF. I just don't have gold tinted glasses on.

We're all biased in one way or another. If you don't have gold-tinted glasses on, then you're basically saying you're biased against UCF in this debate.

Quote:We are generally good for 7 to 9 wins in football. At least 35k in attaendance. Our academics are ok. Basketball program is not very good with below average attendance. Our baseball is good.

Orlando is a great market...but we don't bring prestige...

None of the expansion candidates are "big names." You could argue that BYU is a "big name," and I think they probably do have an edge because of that. I'm not sure if the state of Utah is the direction that the Big 12 wants to go in, though. Maybe I'm wrong about that; we will see.

Quote:Boise State follows the TCU model in football. Win, win, win and beat the P5.

We are following the Boise State-TCU model. Were you asleep during the last 5 years, No Bull?

Quote:Utah and Louisville foolwed the same model. It helps to have a basketball program with a pulse.

We don't have Utah's or Louisville's record in men's basketball; few programs do, whether they're P5 or otherwise. We do need to get back to the NCAA Tournament and win some games in it. An 0-4 all-time record in the Big Dance isn't good. Having Marcus Jordan here helped with getting big non-conference wins over ranked teams like UConn and Florida, which was pretty awesome (didn't help us get win WITHIN the conference, unfortunately). Having Tacko here has gotten us a little more attention. But I agree, we need to start winning.

Quote:The Big 12 already has image issues... and West Virginia on an Island... Cincy bridges the gap. If they ever expand Cincy is a no brainer... who they pick for team #12 is a toss up.

I don't see how adding Cincy improves the Big 12's image anymore than adding UCF. Perhaps you can contribute some facts that support your opinion?

I keep hearing UAB and MTSU.

(07-23-2015 09:31 PM)tnzazz Wrote:  I keep hearing UAB and MTSU.

I'm hearing UAB, and Southern Mississippi basketball coaches.