After a few weeks of conference realignment talk, rumors, and more rumors… I have found that I don’t know who to believe, or if ANYONE should be believed.
What I have found is that there are a few sports writers who are very passionate about which direction realignment is headed, and those writers seem to be dominating my twitter feeds day-in and day-out. They also claim to have sources in the know.
So, I thought I should do a quick investigation into the identities of those claiming to be in the know. I don’t know if I’m now any closer now to understanding what might happen in conference realignment, but at least I know a little more about those who are speculating and making claims.
Wilner vs. Swaim
Here are a few short biographical sketches of Jon Wilner and Greg Swaim, the two most vocal voices jamming up my social media feeds.
Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline, 38k Twitter followers) is a writer for The San Jose Mercury News (2000-present) with a column called the PAC12 Hotline. His column is syndicated by several publications in PAC12 markets, including: The Seattle Times, The Denver Post, East Bay Times, Pasadena Star-News, and Oregon Live). Wilner is an AP top-25 football and basketball voter, as well as a Heisman Trophy voter. Wilner grew up in Maryland and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He was a beat writer at the Arizona Daily Star from 1989 to 1995 and at the Los Angeles Daily News from 1995 to 2000. He currently resides in San Jose, California.
#Pac12 survival guide: Big 12 merger options, ESPN’s role, a bicoastal alliance with teeth and more:https://t.co/L6sg5VuUAo
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) July 5, 2022
Greg Swaim (@GSwaim, 62k Twitter followers) is the host of the Greg Swaim Show, a daily sports radio talk show carried by multiple radio stations across the country. He is also the host of BigTime Sports Television Show, carried by several cable outlets in the Midwest. Swaim has bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University and resides in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
#B1G‘s Kevin Warren threw the #Big12‘s Brett Yormark a bone on Tuesday, mentioning their interest in adding the #Ducks, #UDub, #Stanford and #CalBears. It was also a STRONG message to #BearDown, #Buffs and the #SunDevils. Jump, as lifeboats may not be there much longer!! #SDSU pic.twitter.com/IhONJKDNNN
— SWAIMVILLE 📡🌎 (@GSwaim) July 28, 2022
It clear that both Wilner and Swaim have significant biases due to their positions in PAC12 and Big 12 country. But they are also both respected sports writers who have something to add to this realignment conversation.
Other “influencers” who care about realignment
There are a handful of other writers who also consistently write about realignment and seem to know a little more than the average fan. Here is what I now know about them:
- MHver3 (@MHver3, 15k twitter followers). Actual identify unknown. Charleston, West Virginia.
- John Kurtz (@jlkurtz, 15k Twitter followers). Covers Kansas State and the Big 12.
- Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs, 111k Twitter followers). National college football writer for CBS sports
- Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel, 207k Twitter followers). College football senior writer for ESPN
Who am I missing? DM me @byu_insider to add to this list.
No one actually knows anything right now
As I continue to hear rumors, there is one obvious truth I can get behind—no only truly knows anything right now. Speculation is fine and well, but take anything you hear regarding conference realignment with a grain of salt.
