A&M is now in the SEC: OU, OSU on way to Pac 12

Update 9/13/2011 @ 9:59pm CDT


Probably the last update for the night, but a bit of interesting news coming around. One independent writer is at least suggesting the possibility that "UT to ACC" talk is being orchestrated by Austin, and that contacts with ACC ties have no clue of any such discussions ongoing. As I said, interesting. FWIW.


Update 9/13/2011 @ 6:37pm CDT


Possible big news pending, but still presently VERY iffy: Texas is apparently seriously considering a move to the ACC solely to preserve the Longhorn Network. Again, *very* sketchy and *not* confirmed, but this is at a minimum an increasing possibility. Hang on.


Stay tuned.


Update 9/13/2011 @ 4:53pm CDT


Not a great deal of startling new news, but some tidbits:


Multiple media sources indicate that the Big 12 conference is finished. Oklahoma has made clear its intent to depart the conference in search of "stability," presumably in the Pac 12-14-16, and formal application/acceptance could occur as early as Monday/Tuesday of next week...however...


Oklahoma will allow Texas the opportunity to make an independent decision regarding Pac 12 membership, in the event UT would not want to have the appearance of "following" Oklahoma. The mutual preference is for both schools to move together. While Oklahoma is playing a strong hand, they're working hard not to alienate UT in the process.


Texas is at least contemplating the possibility of joining the ACC. The exact terms of how the Longhorn Network would fit in the ACC are unclear, as that conference also has an equal-sharing rights revenue model. One scenario discussed included all non-football sports going to the ACC, but football remaining independent. Although possible, my opinion is this option is unlikely.


ESPN continues to spin that Texas is acting even now to save the conference, casting them in a noble light, and vilifying Oklahoma. This is, at best, a mischaracterization of reality. Texas has already acknowledged internally that the Big 12 is not viable without Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, and will dissolve. Oklahoma made its intentions clear to Texas during meetings last weekend.


Missouri is a possible candidate for the SEC's 14th team, despite Mike Slive's claims that he won't immediately seek a 14th team following A&M's addition.


Most OKC media reports indicate Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will being playing its Pac 14 schedule with the 2012 season. Although there continue to be reports that Texas will explore other options, I still hold that the most likely reality to emerge is OU, Ok State, Texas, and Texas Tech to move to the Pac 16.


More as I hear it.


-David



Things moved very quickly this afternoon, which we have now found out to be a result of high-level weekend meetings, decisions, and the leading edge of what stands to be a tumultuous series of weeks before conference realignment settles.

Here's what we've learned from this weekend.

Over the weekend, a high-level delegation from the University of Texas flew to Norman and engaged in "friendly," high-level talks to determine what criteria, if any, were available to persuade Oklahoma to remain in the Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma, led by David Boren, is reported to have enumerated a specific list of requirements, a list that Texas was not willing to accede. As a result, the talks concluded politely, but unproductively, and the die was cast for Oklahoma to move with its intentions to depart the conference.

Today, the OU Board of Regents is said to have met, and after a briefing of the weekend's talks from President Boren, unanimously voted to move forward with the process of applying for membership in the Pac 12 conference. Press reports indicate that while the process is expected to complete within two weeks, the Board is actually expected to vote formally on the application process by Monday, September 19th, with a possible announcement by the Pac 12 shortly thereafter.

Other press reports stress that the high-level talks between Texas and Oklahoma were friendly, not confrontational or adversarial, with each school recognizing the mutual value their relationship holds to each other. To that end, it is reported that both schools apparently expressed a preference to move to a new conference home together - presumably the Pac 12 - which still implies that a disposition of the Longhorn Network pursuant to Pac 12 network rules remains to be negotiated and resolved. Oklahoma has conveyed to Texas its willingness to allow Texas to assess its own options independently. One observation emerging from these reports is that, while they may differ on the best way to run a conference, Oklahoma and Texas desire to foster their relationship regardless of their conference affiliations.

Nearly coincident with the reported decision of the OU Board of Regents was the announcement by SEC commissioner Mike Slive that his conference had now accepted Texas A&M's membership application, apparently implying that Baylor's threat to sue was no longer an obstacle or was now seen as posturing given Oklahoma's apparent resolve to leave the conference anyway. Slive, for now, is claiming that the SEC plans to add A&M in time for next season and play an unbalanced, 13-member schedule rather than rush to find a 14th member.

How Oklahoma's reported intentions affect the balance of the Big 12 is unclear. What is clear, however, is that only three reasonable scenarios remain at this time:

1. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State move to the Pac 12 alone, with Texas remaining atop a gutted Big 12.
2. OU, OSU, Texas, and Texas Tech move to the Pac 12.
3. OU, OSU, Kansas, and Missouri move to the Pac 12.

The latter two options almost certainly imply the end of the Big 12, as a conference of only five members isn't viable and would offer little in the way of value to prospective new members unless lower-tier progarms were considered, thus diluting the conference's value further. The Big East was reportedly involved in unofficial overtures to Missouri, Baylor, and possibly one or both Kansas schools over the weekend. The ACC is also reported to have expressed interest in both OU and Texas, although that possibility seems remote at this time.

If Texas is unable to work out a deal to allow the Longhorn Network into the confines of the Pac 12, the possibility #3 arises, which would almost certainly force the Longhorns to go independent, or move to the ACC, or possibly even the Big 10. Such moves, at this point, are highly speculative.

This is but the first step in what stands to be a rocky road through realignment. We'll try to keep information consolidated here with as little wild speculation as possible.

Stay tuned!