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ChrisLevel Tony Barnhart (@McCFB) has a great blog entry today about it. He wonders aloud if they'll try to shoehorn BU into P16 if A&M goes SEC Reply Retweet ChrisLevel If the reports about the Texas legislature trying to hold things up are true then one could surmise that it is BU they are trying to save.
Texas A&M sounds unwilling to blindly follow rival Texas to the West coast and join their Big 12 South brethren. Enough so, that SEC commissioner Mike Slive reportedly paid College Station a visit over the weekend to talk future membership. The fans -- the vocal ones, at least -- have made their desires known, flooding to a Facebook page in the thousands to pledge their support of a move to college football's best conference. Athletic director Bill Byrne responded via e-mail on Saturday: “Please let us continue to go through a thorough and thoughtful process,” Byrne wrote. “Like you, we understand that this decision will impact us for decades. Let’s not rush. “Having said that, it is still our choice to keep the remaining ten Big 12 schools together if we can. If we cannot do that, then we will do our best to do the right thing.”So what is the right thing? Texas holds the key to a still-viable Big 12, but splitting from Texas to join the SEC instead of following to the Big 12 or Pac-10 is the high-risk, high-reward option. Financially, it's not risky. Everything the Pac-10 or Big 12 tells the Aggies is going to be a projection. The Pac-10 dished out up to $10 million to its teams in its most recently available number. (Yes, it issues conference revenue unequally, too. Differently, and split up between sports, but still unequal.) But commissioner Larry Scott claims that number could climb to above $20 million if a Pac-16 is formed. It's tough to project what a weakened Big 12 would fetch, but commissioner Dan Beebe is reportedly trying to keep teams in the league by pitching a number larger than the $139 million divvied up between the 12 teams this season. Meanwhile, the SEC just issued $17.3 million checks to each of its schools and, presumably, believes that number would grow with the addition of the Aggies. So, no doubts there. They'd also be able to sell "You can play in THE SEC!" to recruits, giving them an edge (at least in some recruits' minds) over Big 12 powers Texas and Oklahoma. It might also give teams like Alabama and Florida an in to Texan recruits, but one game every other year at most back in their home state isn't going to send recruits suddenly sprinting to Tuscaloosa or Gainesville. They'd also be able to sell their own brand, rather than the less successful version of Texas. But the fans' enthusiasm might be slowed by the primary product we're talking about here: Football. As in, on the field. Texas A&M was a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 team in 2009. Georgia and Arkansas were in the meat of the SEC, rather than the elite. The Aggies lost both games by 20-plus points. In fact, you have to go all the way back to 1995 to find the last time the Aggies beat an SEC team, when, as the No. 3 team in the country, they beat LSU. Since then, they've lost convincingly to Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl and lost in overtime to Mississippi State in the 2000 Independence Bowl. That's not to say those losses would have a ton of effect moving forward, but let's keep it simple here. The SEC is good. Better than the rest of the leagues across the nation, top to bottom, as those leagues currently stand. A couple of 4-8 seasons (and keeping Texas on the schedule, something the Aggies should do regardless, wouldn't help avoid those) would have everyone second-guessing the move. Maybe Texas A&M could improve and compete for championships. The last decade tells me they won't. Their best chance to win, which is a currency all its own in this realignment game, is in the Pac-10, which should be ruled by the familial Texas and Oklahoma with USC limping, thanks to the NCAA. If the Aggies want to break out from their burnt orange shadow, the SEC is the place to do it. But they might find all kinds of other big brothers there, too. It doesn't take much faith to believe the Aggies might be better off financially in the SEC. It takes a lot to believe they would be on the field. If the Aggies decision-makers have that faith, they'll do what they need to do. Time may equal success. But that success would have a lot fewer variables in the Pac-10.
GaryParrishCBS The Big 12 basketball coaches don't have a say. But if they had a say, they'd say "keep the Big 12 together." Column: http://bit.ly/9IoN6E
In these uncertain times of college athletics, this much is certain: The Big 12 basketball coaches want to continue to be Big 12 basketball coaches (as opposed to Pac-10 basketball coaches, SEC basketball coaches or God knows what else). "We have all worked extremely hard to make this the No. 1 RPI conference in the country," Baylor's Scott Drew told CBSSports.com on Sunday night. "We all appreciate the rivalries and traditions, and I don't think any of us want to see that go to the wayside." Now I know what you're thinking: Of course, Scott Drew wants to keep the Big 12 together. He's at Baylor, and Baylor seems like the school most likely to be left on the wrong side of this conference realignment madness, which means the only person who wants to save the Big 12 more than Scott Drew is commissioner Dan Beebe. That's what you're thinking, and I don't blame you, because I kind of thought the same thing. But then I ran Drew's sentiment by Kansas State coach Frank Martin, and not only did he back Drew, he took it to a new level. And with names. "[Oklahoma coach Jeff] Capel, [Kansas coach Bill] Self, [Oklahoma State coach Travis] Ford, [Texas A&M coach Mark] Turgeon, [Texas coach Rick] Barnes, Drew," Martin said, going right down the list. "We're all on board. Us basketball coaches have all been talking nonstop. We all get along big time and have been trying to save this." Asked via text message if that was an accurate assessment, Capel responded simply. "Yes." The problem for the Big 12 basketball coaches, of course, is that these decisions are being made above their heads, because basketball hardly matters when it comes to realignment. What matters are television markets and football. As proof, consider that Colorado (Denver TV market) and Nebraska (strong football program that is a national brand) are the Big 12 schools that have already received and accepted invitations to join other leagues. They were desirable additions for the Pac-10 and Big Ten despite being traditionally worse at men's basketball than England's goalie is at being a goalie. So, again, basketball doesn't matter. The Big 12 basketball coaches understand that. But what they don't understand is why Texas -- i.e., the school most believe will now be responsible for either holding together or destroying the Big 12 -- would want to leave for the Pac-10, and never mind that Texas can increase revenue in an expanded Pac-10. "Texas already has more money than everybody else. How much do they need?" asked one Big 12 basketball coach, who spoke to CBSSports.com on the condition of anonymity because he didn't feel it was his place to publicly question Texas. "Let's say they can really get $22 million in TV revenue from the Pac-10. What if they can get $15 million with a new Big 12 contract, and $3 million in local rights [that Texas would be allowed to make in the Big 12 but likely required to give up in the Pac-10]? "Then what are we talking about? A difference of no more than $5 million a year? I know $5 million a year is a lot of money to most, but how much does it matter to Texas? Their annual budget is $138 million, $20 million more than anybody. So is it worth an extra $5 million a year to tear up everything we've built, especially when moving will make their path to championships harder and open up Texas-recruiting to Pac-10 schools?" The coach paused for a moment, then started again. "I'm asking," he said. "Is it really worth it for Texas to move and kill our league?" Worth it? I don't know. All I know is that the Big 12 basketball coaches don't want it to happen. And though they probably won't have a say, that's not going to keep them from saying it.
"Texas already has more money than everybody else. How much do they need?" asked one Big 12 basketball coach, who spoke to CBSSports.com on the condition of anonymity because he didn't feel it was his place to publicly question Texas. "Let's say they can really get $22 million in TV revenue from the Pac-10. What if they can get $15 million with a new Big 12 contract, and $3 million in local rights [that Texas would be allowed to make in the Big 12 but likely required to give up in the Pac-10]?"Then what are we talking about? A difference of no more than $5 million a year? I know $5 million a year is a lot of money to most, but how much does it matter to Texas? Their annual budget is $138 million, $20 million more than anybody. So is it worth an extra $5 million a year to tear up everything we've built, especially when moving will make their path to championships harder and open up Texas-recruiting to Pac-10 schools?"The coach paused for a moment, then started again."I'm asking," he said. "Is it really worth it for Texas to move and kill our league?"
bobfescoe Been told this morning that a deal is done in PENCIL to keep Big12 together. Trending that way right now...stay tuned to 610 sports radio
@NCAAsports Sources: If B12 breakup, CUSA considering inviting Iowa St. & Baylor (if KU, KSU, Mizzou went to MWC/Big East)
QuoteThe problem for the Big 12 basketball coaches, of course, is that these decisions are being made above their heads, because basketball hardly matters when it comes to realignment. What matters are television markets and football. As proof, consider that Colorado (Denver TV market) and Nebraska (strong football program that is a national brand) are the Big 12 schools that have already received and accepted invitations to join other leagues. They were desirable additions for the Pac-10 and Big Ten despite being traditionally worse at men's basketball than England's goalie is at being a goalie.
The problem for the Big 12 basketball coaches, of course, is that these decisions are being made above their heads, because basketball hardly matters when it comes to realignment. What matters are television markets and football. As proof, consider that Colorado (Denver TV market) and Nebraska (strong football program that is a national brand) are the Big 12 schools that have already received and accepted invitations to join other leagues. They were desirable additions for the Pac-10 and Big Ten despite being traditionally worse at men's basketball than England's goalie is at being a goalie.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/14/big-12-not-dead-yet/?sportsA source close to the situation told the Journal-World late Sunday night that the Big 12 Conference appears to have moved closer to an agreement with its remaining schools to keep the league together and that Oklahoma University will move to the North Division.Big 12 Conference may stay intactEven with two teams jetting for other conferences, reports state the Big 12 may just survive. It's possible a new TV deal may help ease the tensions of the Big 12's ten remaining teams. Enlarge videoThe source said it was unknown whether the Big 12 would move forward as a 10-member league or if it would look to add two new members to replace Colorado and Nebraska, which left for the Pac-10 and Big Ten, respectively, last week.The news Sunday flew under the radar of reports out of Texas that said Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott was on a plane bound for Kansas City, Mo., to meet with KU officials.“That’s a back-up plan,” the source said. “It looks like the Big 12 is staying together.”The Big 12 appeared to be all but dead just days ago, but a late move by commissioner Dan Beebe might have saved it. Reports indicated that Beebe lobbied hard this weekend with schools in Texas and Oklahoma to convince them to move forward with the Big 12 schools that remained. His selling point was talk of a reworked television deal that would push the per-school payouts to the nearly $17 million annually that’s close to what the SEC pumps out each year and in the neighborhood of what the Pac-10 was eyeing. What’s more, Beebe was reported to have told the University of Texas that it would have permission to proceed with its own network in the future, something the Longhorns have wanted for years.This news falls in line with what Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione has said all along.“I understand people are writing this like the ship has sailed and there really isn’t any way the Big 12 could stay together,” Castiglione told The Oklahoman. “I just don’t think this is true. I think there’s still a way for us to stick together and be viable.“There’s still proof that 11 or 10 teams together can create some significant value — even more than where we are with 12.”A meeting of the UT regents scheduled for Tuesday likely will go a long way toward determining the outcome, and concerns remain over Texas A&M’s flirtation with the SEC.
ChipBrownOB Orangebloods.com: According to sources, Texas will announce as early as today that UT will commit to a 10-member Big 12.
kstate_pres The fab five (K-State, KU, MU, ISU, and BU) are working hard to promote a 10-team Big 12 conference - which could be a financial boon for us
BloomOnHoops I hope nobody gets sucked in by the "Beebe Plan." There's a reason we're in this mess right now.
The fab five (K-State, KU, MU, ISU, and BU) are working hard to promote a 10-team Big 12 conference - which could be a financial boon for us
Quotekstate_pres The fab five (K-State, KU, MU, ISU, and BU) are working hard to promote a 10-team Big 12 conference - which could be a financial boon for us
Orangebloods.com was able to confirm with a top source at Texas A&M that despite visits to College Station by SEC commissioner Mike Slive on Saturday and by Scott and Weiberg on Sunday, Aggies athletic director Bill Byrne was out of the state the entire weekend - at a family reunion in Idaho.
The 10 remaining Big 12 schools would divide up the more than $20 million in buyout penalties that will have to be paid by Colorado and Nebraska for leaving the league early.
Why would OU move to the North? If it were a 10 team league, it would be a complete round robin and no need for north and south divisions anyway.
