As quickly as the rumors started, they stopped.
With the stroke of a virtual pen and a late-night press release, the seemingly inexorable move toward megaconferences came to a screeching halt late last night when the Pac 12 released a statement asserting its desire to remain at 12 members, eliminating the hope for OU and OSU to move from the beleaguered Big 12.
Now, all the dominoes that had started to align yesterday are back in their boxes.
Conference realignment will now stop with Syracuse, Pitt moving to the ACC, and Texas A&M moving to the SEC. Beyond that, a handful of leftovers will likely move to an again-rebuilt Big 12. Leading candidates making the Twitterverse rumormill are BYU, Louisville, and West Virginia. Missouri's prospective move to the SEC is almost certainly by the boards, as the Tigers' move was predicated upon the implosion of the Big 12.
Oklahoma released a statement late Tuesday asserting that it would look to strengthen the Big 12 by remaining as one of its members. Sources indicated that OU and Texas would meet this week to hammer out an arrangement that would keep both schools in the Big 12 for at least five years. BYU reportedly indicated their interest in joining the now-stabilized conference.
Who are the winners and losers in the Pac 12 decision? Clearly, Oklahoma president David Boren was left holding the empty bag of a gentleman's agreement with Pac 12's Larry Scott, losing the immense leverage he held to reform the Big 12 with the presumptive invitation to go west in hand. Now, it is hard to see Boren as anything but an unwitting pawn in a Pac 12 effort to gain Texas membership, but then discarded when it became clear Texas' terms were intolerable - most particularly, its revenue and LHN requirements. The other loser is Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, who has reportedly been informed his services in that capacity are no longer desired. The clear winner is Texas, which now seems destined to keep its Longhorn Network and corresponding revenues virtually untouched, with only token concessions to allow OU some measure of face-saving.
As quickly as this story broke, now it ends, and now it looks once and for all we can get back to talking football. Actual football. And that should be a relief to everyone.
Showing posts with label ou-texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ou-texas. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Realignment: The Week Ahead
Update 9/19 @ 8:16 PM:
A few nuggets:
Oklahoma Board of Regents have formally authorized president David Boren to pursue any action necessary regarding conference alignment. Nothing surprising there.
Big East will apparently hold Pitt (and presumably Syracuse) to its contract, meaning a June 2014 exit date (earliest). No word on whether Pitt could buy its way out to an earlier date.
Mountain West and Conference-USA are discussing a merger.
Remnants of Big East likely to merge with remnants of Big 12. Both likely can't survive.
Posturing: Info from a few sources reiterates that the Pac 12 will not budge in its insistence that all third-tier revenues from networks be shared among all teams in the conference. OU insists that equal revenue sharing is the only way it would consider staying in Big 12. Not a great deal new there, but it does make one wonder....
Musing: If Texas has presumably been checkmated into an equal revenue sharing agreement no matter where they go, why would they not consider telling OU "okay, equal sharing, we stay if you stay," making OU and UT the kingpins of a dead-on-the-vine conference - a true "AL East" as postulated by Mark Cuban. Reality suggests that members of the presumably enlarged Pac 16 stand to earn as much as $35 million (nearly double) in an expanded conference, which would seemingly make that choice a near no-brainer.
Right now, I still think it's the Gang of Four heading west after some saber-rattling, but we'll see.
Clarification 9/19 @ 1:53PM Oklahoma's Board of Regents meeting now. Alignment (way) down the agenda.
One item I wanted to clarify in the midst of the updates is the issue of OU's "invitation" (or lack thereof) to the Pac 12. I stand behind (several) local media member reports over the last two wweeks (and tweets) that stated quite plainly that Oklahoma has a standing, informal, "unofficial" agreement with the Pac 12 to join their conference with Oklahoma State regardless of Texas' action. I have read nothing to contradict that issue, not even spin from Orangebloods.com.
This agreement, as best I can understand it, was worked out between OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott close to two weeks ago. When the agreement was reached, a local reporter said that "(Castiglione) looked the most relieved he'd been in weeks."
Right now, Texas is the team with no leverage. None. No conference wants the Longhorn Network as it sits. Public posturing indicates Texas is trying to play a measure of hardball with LHN in its Pac 12 negotiations, when in reality playing that kind of poker with a handful of blank cards and no chips gives you very little room to raise the stakes. With no alternatives, Texas either goes independent, or accedes to Pac 12 rules. There's really no middle ground. While Oklahoma is patient and wants to create at least the appearance of unity with Texas, don't think for a second David Boren won't press forward independently in a heartbeat should he decide it is in OU's best interests to do so .
This week stands to be the biggest yet in the shifting tides of conference realignment.
Texas and Oklahoma's respective Boards of Regents will be meeting to empower their presidents to make a deal with whatever conference they deem appropriate. The current speculation is that both are headed to the Pac-12, but hurdles - perhaps significant - remain, chief among them the Longhorn Network and Texas' willingness to shrink it to Pac-12 rules. Another hurdle is whether conference presidents are willing to admit schools with supposedly secondary academic status, although it would seem commissioner Larry Scott should be able to overcome them.
The Pac-12 is showing no signs of budging on its network rules, with the WilmerReport suggesting that Missouri could be on the conference's radar should Texas not come to terms. That would implicitly imperil Tech's move as well.
The SEC is reported quietly looking to jump to 16 teams, reportedly likely to accept West Virginia's upcoming application. The ACC apparently also believes that they are also about to lose Florida State to the SEC as well, meaning a currently unknown 16th team is likely brewing in the SEC's radar.
Acrimony in the Big East came to a head with the sudden departure of Syracuse and Pitt, and now suggestions are that the conference may not survive. Remants of the Big 12 and the Big East may merge to form a new regional conference.
This week should prove to be most interesting. Stay tuned.
A few nuggets:
Oklahoma Board of Regents have formally authorized president David Boren to pursue any action necessary regarding conference alignment. Nothing surprising there.
Big East will apparently hold Pitt (and presumably Syracuse) to its contract, meaning a June 2014 exit date (earliest). No word on whether Pitt could buy its way out to an earlier date.
Mountain West and Conference-USA are discussing a merger.
Remnants of Big East likely to merge with remnants of Big 12. Both likely can't survive.
Posturing: Info from a few sources reiterates that the Pac 12 will not budge in its insistence that all third-tier revenues from networks be shared among all teams in the conference. OU insists that equal revenue sharing is the only way it would consider staying in Big 12. Not a great deal new there, but it does make one wonder....
Musing: If Texas has presumably been checkmated into an equal revenue sharing agreement no matter where they go, why would they not consider telling OU "okay, equal sharing, we stay if you stay," making OU and UT the kingpins of a dead-on-the-vine conference - a true "AL East" as postulated by Mark Cuban. Reality suggests that members of the presumably enlarged Pac 16 stand to earn as much as $35 million (nearly double) in an expanded conference, which would seemingly make that choice a near no-brainer.
Right now, I still think it's the Gang of Four heading west after some saber-rattling, but we'll see.
Clarification 9/19 @ 1:53PM Oklahoma's Board of Regents meeting now. Alignment (way) down the agenda.
One item I wanted to clarify in the midst of the updates is the issue of OU's "invitation" (or lack thereof) to the Pac 12. I stand behind (several) local media member reports over the last two wweeks (and tweets) that stated quite plainly that Oklahoma has a standing, informal, "unofficial" agreement with the Pac 12 to join their conference with Oklahoma State regardless of Texas' action. I have read nothing to contradict that issue, not even spin from Orangebloods.com.
This agreement, as best I can understand it, was worked out between OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott close to two weeks ago. When the agreement was reached, a local reporter said that "(Castiglione) looked the most relieved he'd been in weeks."
Right now, Texas is the team with no leverage. None. No conference wants the Longhorn Network as it sits. Public posturing indicates Texas is trying to play a measure of hardball with LHN in its Pac 12 negotiations, when in reality playing that kind of poker with a handful of blank cards and no chips gives you very little room to raise the stakes. With no alternatives, Texas either goes independent, or accedes to Pac 12 rules. There's really no middle ground. While Oklahoma is patient and wants to create at least the appearance of unity with Texas, don't think for a second David Boren won't press forward independently in a heartbeat should he decide it is in OU's best interests to do so .
This week stands to be the biggest yet in the shifting tides of conference realignment.
Texas and Oklahoma's respective Boards of Regents will be meeting to empower their presidents to make a deal with whatever conference they deem appropriate. The current speculation is that both are headed to the Pac-12, but hurdles - perhaps significant - remain, chief among them the Longhorn Network and Texas' willingness to shrink it to Pac-12 rules. Another hurdle is whether conference presidents are willing to admit schools with supposedly secondary academic status, although it would seem commissioner Larry Scott should be able to overcome them.
The Pac-12 is showing no signs of budging on its network rules, with the WilmerReport suggesting that Missouri could be on the conference's radar should Texas not come to terms. That would implicitly imperil Tech's move as well.
The SEC is reported quietly looking to jump to 16 teams, reportedly likely to accept West Virginia's upcoming application. The ACC apparently also believes that they are also about to lose Florida State to the SEC as well, meaning a currently unknown 16th team is likely brewing in the SEC's radar.
Acrimony in the Big East came to a head with the sudden departure of Syracuse and Pitt, and now suggestions are that the conference may not survive. Remants of the Big 12 and the Big East may merge to form a new regional conference.
This week should prove to be most interesting. Stay tuned.
Monday, September 12, 2011
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!
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!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
After all this, nothing??
Update 1:23 CDT Sat: Orangebloods.com is reporting that the P12 is telling OU and OSU they have no expansion plans at this time, spinning that as an end to the presumed Sooner option of the Pac 12. I cast great doubt on that spin. Of course Pac 12 wants no part of predator perception, and of course Texas wants to make OU think it has no options. That this story comes from a Texas Rivals site makes me all the more suspicious - of course it would be a willing "mouthpiece" for such a spin. Does anyone really, really believe the Pac 12 wouldn't take an OU if they became available?
Saturday morning brings with it the hope of *actual* football, not merely the public bickering and rumoring over whose team belongs with which conference. Yet in the shadow of the goalposts does realignment loom, and while there's not a great deal of new news on that front, we can take a moment to see where we are, and make a subject-to-change conclusion:
Right now, I have this sinking feeling we may end up right where we are now, with no big realignment after all.
Why? Baylor continues to serve as the roadblock to Texas A&M's departure, refusing to waive its rights to sue both A&M and the SEC for tortious interference in its conference membership activities. Simply put, if no resolution to the Baylor Stalemate is found, there may be no other option for the Aggies but to return, hat-in-hand, to a crippled and self-mutilated Big 12. It's been said that A&M's move represents the first domino in realignment, but if it never falls...nothing else happens. Even if Oklahoma re-ups with the Big 12, allowing A&M to depart, the big four-team prize of OU, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas Tech to the Pac 12 would have inherently been blown apart, leaving the SEC looking for a 14th team that it might not grab until next season, willing to play an unbalanced schedule in the near-term.
The other thing pointing in the we-go-nowhere direction is T. Boone Pickens' comment on ESPN last Thursday that suggested the Pokes were interested in staying in the Big 12. That could be taken one of two ways: That some sort of agreement was nearly hammered out, or talks were in a last-gasp phase. It could be that Pickens is riding point for a behind-the-scenes negotiation between OU president David Boren and, well, the rest of college football.
To cap it off, Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott came out last night stating he personally was against conference expansion. But you and I both know that if the SEC does, in fact, jump to a 13th, and 14th team, there's no way on earth his conference would stand pat and not respond.
There is obviously critical momentum riding decidedly against the Big 12's survival, chief among them being the question of how this fractious, embarrassed, dysfunctional conference family could ever reconstitute itself into a cohesive, respected, collegial athletic entity. Nationally, the conference is a laughingstock, a target of unrelenting media ridicule, with bridges burned between high-profile members. UT and A&M have never been so close to outright armed conflict. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have expressed outright anger over apparent orchestrations from Baylor to put each, in their own way, in a bad light. With so much angst, how could anyone in this conference trust anyone else? And why would anyone on the outside want to join?
Regardless of the outcome, no one, repeat, no one looks worse or less competent in this fiasco than Dan Beebe who, besides carrying the title of worst sports leader this side of Bug Selig, has seemingly stood by and allowed the Big 12 to burn while he fiddles. Perhaps a "reincarnated" Big 12 could survive, but only if every vestige of Beebe's (lack of) leadership were vanquished from the books - as in new leadership, a new conference charter (with equal revenue sharing), even a new headquarters. How anyone nationally could perceive that as anything other than lipstick on a pig is beyond me.
Oklahoma still seems to hold the cards, but rest assured the Sooners won't make a move until the weekend passes, particularly considering this weekend includes services for its late, great Lee Roy Selmon. Until then, anyone - even yours truly - who says they know what happening is sniffing that smoke coming from that Big 12 fire.
And Dan Beebe is still fiddling.
Saturday morning brings with it the hope of *actual* football, not merely the public bickering and rumoring over whose team belongs with which conference. Yet in the shadow of the goalposts does realignment loom, and while there's not a great deal of new news on that front, we can take a moment to see where we are, and make a subject-to-change conclusion:
Right now, I have this sinking feeling we may end up right where we are now, with no big realignment after all.
Why? Baylor continues to serve as the roadblock to Texas A&M's departure, refusing to waive its rights to sue both A&M and the SEC for tortious interference in its conference membership activities. Simply put, if no resolution to the Baylor Stalemate is found, there may be no other option for the Aggies but to return, hat-in-hand, to a crippled and self-mutilated Big 12. It's been said that A&M's move represents the first domino in realignment, but if it never falls...nothing else happens. Even if Oklahoma re-ups with the Big 12, allowing A&M to depart, the big four-team prize of OU, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas Tech to the Pac 12 would have inherently been blown apart, leaving the SEC looking for a 14th team that it might not grab until next season, willing to play an unbalanced schedule in the near-term.
The other thing pointing in the we-go-nowhere direction is T. Boone Pickens' comment on ESPN last Thursday that suggested the Pokes were interested in staying in the Big 12. That could be taken one of two ways: That some sort of agreement was nearly hammered out, or talks were in a last-gasp phase. It could be that Pickens is riding point for a behind-the-scenes negotiation between OU president David Boren and, well, the rest of college football.
To cap it off, Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott came out last night stating he personally was against conference expansion. But you and I both know that if the SEC does, in fact, jump to a 13th, and 14th team, there's no way on earth his conference would stand pat and not respond.
There is obviously critical momentum riding decidedly against the Big 12's survival, chief among them being the question of how this fractious, embarrassed, dysfunctional conference family could ever reconstitute itself into a cohesive, respected, collegial athletic entity. Nationally, the conference is a laughingstock, a target of unrelenting media ridicule, with bridges burned between high-profile members. UT and A&M have never been so close to outright armed conflict. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have expressed outright anger over apparent orchestrations from Baylor to put each, in their own way, in a bad light. With so much angst, how could anyone in this conference trust anyone else? And why would anyone on the outside want to join?
Regardless of the outcome, no one, repeat, no one looks worse or less competent in this fiasco than Dan Beebe who, besides carrying the title of worst sports leader this side of Bug Selig, has seemingly stood by and allowed the Big 12 to burn while he fiddles. Perhaps a "reincarnated" Big 12 could survive, but only if every vestige of Beebe's (lack of) leadership were vanquished from the books - as in new leadership, a new conference charter (with equal revenue sharing), even a new headquarters. How anyone nationally could perceive that as anything other than lipstick on a pig is beyond me.
Oklahoma still seems to hold the cards, but rest assured the Sooners won't make a move until the weekend passes, particularly considering this weekend includes services for its late, great Lee Roy Selmon. Until then, anyone - even yours truly - who says they know what happening is sniffing that smoke coming from that Big 12 fire.
And Dan Beebe is still fiddling.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Legal Knots: Realignment Wednesday
Update 9:47 9/7: Word started to trickle in about 90 minutes ago that doubt was being cast on the veracity of the Waco Tribune story that said six Big 12 schools were working in concert to block the A&M move to the SEC unless Oklahoma agreed to stay. Subsequent updates and tweets from several sources now indicate the Waco story was, at best, bogus, and that the actual primary actors are most likely Baylor via Ken Starr and, possibly, Iowa State.
The story started to unravel when Texas Tech denied any involvement with any lawsuits (heck, their legal team is still tied in Mike Leach knots), and Oklahoma denied any knowledge that it was being made into the fall guy for the Big 12's future. Ultimately, this appears to have been a craftily laid land mine possibly set into motion by Ken Starr of Baylor.
How this does or doesn't affect the Big 12 issues at hand remains to be seen, but clearly the line of the night award belongs to ESPN's Pat Forde, who lead off his column tonight with the following gem:
With the SEC vote to accept Texas A&M now known, it became clear early today that the invitation wasn't quite that clean cut. Word had been communicated to the SEC that one or more Big 12 schools weren't crazy about the pending departure, and were not standing by a previous agreement from the Big 12 to release any claims the conference had against A&M for their departure. As a result, the SEC's invitation was conditional upon a waiver from each Big 12 school of their right to sue.
Word comes down that eight of nine schools are refusing to waive that right, unless Oklahoma decides to remain in what's left of the Big 12.
Now, no one knows quite what will happen next. As for an opinion, I believe the refusal to waive rights has been orchestrated by Texas itself in order to put that "extreme pressure" on OU to remain in the Big 12. Texas would like nothing better for OU to take the role of villain in the dismantling of the Big 12. For OU, it seems imperative that they not knuckle to this lowest-common-denominator blackmail, and pursue its own best interests.
Something's rotten in Denmark: CBS reports that Texas Tech has denied any threat to sue anyone regarding conference realignment. George Schroeder tweets that some info he's learned makes him skeptical of the original Waco news report indicating this "band of 6 threat." Exactly what is going on is unknown, but something is clearly rotten in Denmark. At worst, its ridiculous propaganda, at worst its malevolent posturing.
Where is this all heading? No one really knows. To an extent, the entire theater is getting a bit ridiculous. The core of this round of realignment is the Longhorn Network, and for Texas to shift the blame to any other party is laughably disingenuous.
Stay tuned
The story started to unravel when Texas Tech denied any involvement with any lawsuits (heck, their legal team is still tied in Mike Leach knots), and Oklahoma denied any knowledge that it was being made into the fall guy for the Big 12's future. Ultimately, this appears to have been a craftily laid land mine possibly set into motion by Ken Starr of Baylor.
How this does or doesn't affect the Big 12 issues at hand remains to be seen, but clearly the line of the night award belongs to ESPN's Pat Forde, who lead off his column tonight with the following gem:
There is nothing funny about what's going on in the Big 12 right now. Except for the fact that it's fall-down hilarious.Stay tuned. Please feel free to add your comments below, or join EndZoneReview!
With the SEC vote to accept Texas A&M now known, it became clear early today that the invitation wasn't quite that clean cut. Word had been communicated to the SEC that one or more Big 12 schools weren't crazy about the pending departure, and were not standing by a previous agreement from the Big 12 to release any claims the conference had against A&M for their departure. As a result, the SEC's invitation was conditional upon a waiver from each Big 12 school of their right to sue.
Word comes down that eight of nine schools are refusing to waive that right, unless Oklahoma decides to remain in what's left of the Big 12.
Now, no one knows quite what will happen next. As for an opinion, I believe the refusal to waive rights has been orchestrated by Texas itself in order to put that "extreme pressure" on OU to remain in the Big 12. Texas would like nothing better for OU to take the role of villain in the dismantling of the Big 12. For OU, it seems imperative that they not knuckle to this lowest-common-denominator blackmail, and pursue its own best interests.
Something's rotten in Denmark: CBS reports that Texas Tech has denied any threat to sue anyone regarding conference realignment. George Schroeder tweets that some info he's learned makes him skeptical of the original Waco news report indicating this "band of 6 threat." Exactly what is going on is unknown, but something is clearly rotten in Denmark. At worst, its ridiculous propaganda, at worst its malevolent posturing.
Where is this all heading? No one really knows. To an extent, the entire theater is getting a bit ridiculous. The core of this round of realignment is the Longhorn Network, and for Texas to shift the blame to any other party is laughably disingenuous.
Stay tuned
Realignment Summary
As of 6:30 AM Wednesday morning, here's where we are:
* SEC voted to extend membership invitation to A&M, with two diesents
* SEC would pursue Missouri or West Virginia as 14th member
* New rumor are suggesting SEC's offer is contingent upon a waiver of lawsuit from Big 12, but this is unconfirmed and reported only from Orangebloods.com
* Most sources continue to believe notion of Texas joining ACC as not credible, being used as leverage to discourage Oklahoma from busting the Big 12 and ending the OU-Texas rivalry
* A&M is expected to announce their acceptance of the SEC invitation today. If the lawsuit waiver issue is true, that could be delayed
Thoughts: If the Big 12 had designs to sue the SEC, why would they agree to a mutual waiver of claims in allowing Texas A&M to depart in the first place? That is, if there's tortious interferene on one side, there's a willful breach of contract on the other - but the Big 12 released those claims, did they not? Besides, if the Big 12 dissolves, what entity would engage in the lawsuit? A threat from individual schools, such as Baylor, would be more credible, but one would assume a waiver of claims by the conference would presumably extend to each of its members individually and possibly survive the conference itself.
With the Big East courting (at least) Big 12 refugees Kansas and Kansas State, it would seem the Big 12 is destined to dissolve. With multiple sources - notably OKC and Houston broadcast and print media - reporting that the Longhorn Network would be converted into something amenable to the Pac 12, it still seems that the smart money is on OU, OkState, Texas, and Texas Tech heading to the Pac 12.
Stay tuned.
* SEC voted to extend membership invitation to A&M, with two diesents
* SEC would pursue Missouri or West Virginia as 14th member
* New rumor are suggesting SEC's offer is contingent upon a waiver of lawsuit from Big 12, but this is unconfirmed and reported only from Orangebloods.com
* Most sources continue to believe notion of Texas joining ACC as not credible, being used as leverage to discourage Oklahoma from busting the Big 12 and ending the OU-Texas rivalry
* A&M is expected to announce their acceptance of the SEC invitation today. If the lawsuit waiver issue is true, that could be delayed
Thoughts: If the Big 12 had designs to sue the SEC, why would they agree to a mutual waiver of claims in allowing Texas A&M to depart in the first place? That is, if there's tortious interferene on one side, there's a willful breach of contract on the other - but the Big 12 released those claims, did they not? Besides, if the Big 12 dissolves, what entity would engage in the lawsuit? A threat from individual schools, such as Baylor, would be more credible, but one would assume a waiver of claims by the conference would presumably extend to each of its members individually and possibly survive the conference itself.
With the Big East courting (at least) Big 12 refugees Kansas and Kansas State, it would seem the Big 12 is destined to dissolve. With multiple sources - notably OKC and Houston broadcast and print media - reporting that the Longhorn Network would be converted into something amenable to the Pac 12, it still seems that the smart money is on OU, OkState, Texas, and Texas Tech heading to the Pac 12.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Stoops: OU-Texas could end
Update: Putting this at the top for emphasis. A later post from ESPN reporter Jake Trotter indicates that Stoops was, in his words, "playing cards" with his comments regarding the future of the OU-Texas game. While Stoops said he wouldn't be in favor of adding a prospective out-of-conference Texas to new, future conference schedules, he did suggest that Oklahoma would likely seek to get out of upcoming games against Ohio State and Notre Dame (among others) to preserve the Texas matchup.
In short, this is appearing more and more to be an offhanded comment that was only slightly conveying a degree of brinksmanship that has been blown just a bit out of proportion. Stoops recognizes the important of the OU-Texas weekend in Dallas for non-football purposes and was not seriously suggesting the series would end.
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Possible Shocker: During his Monday morning press conference, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he could see the OU-Texas rivalry stopping, and said that "proximity" to Texas is more important than "playing" in Texas.
Wow. Just plain wow.
Update: I believe this may indicate part of the "intense talks" Chip Brown mentioned last night, wherein I speculated that UT would put RRR on the chopping block (at least as a threat) to prevent OU from going west. I think OU is calling UT's bluff. Hard to fathom OU-Texas ending. We'll see.
Update: Some local OKC media types insist that Stoops is bluffing due to Texas' ambivalence re Pac 12, that OU-TX not really thought to be in danger at the moment.
In short, this is appearing more and more to be an offhanded comment that was only slightly conveying a degree of brinksmanship that has been blown just a bit out of proportion. Stoops recognizes the important of the OU-Texas weekend in Dallas for non-football purposes and was not seriously suggesting the series would end.
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Possible Shocker: During his Monday morning press conference, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he could see the OU-Texas rivalry stopping, and said that "proximity" to Texas is more important than "playing" in Texas.
Wow. Just plain wow.
Update: I believe this may indicate part of the "intense talks" Chip Brown mentioned last night, wherein I speculated that UT would put RRR on the chopping block (at least as a threat) to prevent OU from going west. I think OU is calling UT's bluff. Hard to fathom OU-Texas ending. We'll see.
Update: Some local OKC media types insist that Stoops is bluffing due to Texas' ambivalence re Pac 12, that OU-TX not really thought to be in danger at the moment.
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