SEC Expansion Wrap: How Mizzou’s Big 12 Commitment Might Not Have Been
September 23rd, 2011 02:27 AM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink
║ Schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Tags: ACC, Big East, MU, SEC
Thursday was all about different points of view.
To hear Oklahoma’s president tell it, the Big 12 is alive and well and a new contract to bind the league together is all but signed. But Missouri’s chancellor fell well short of providing such reassurances.
The national media and outsiders — like this site — looked at the statements coming from last night’s dueling pressers and declared the Big 12 saved. But reporters in the Show Me State disagreed, stating that the SEC remains an option or the fence-sitting Tigers.
Why you can even read the media reports in two different ways. On one hand, the reporters on the ground for the official Big 12 presser have better contacts and a better read on what MU officials might be saying between the lines. On the other, a few reporters could have an agenda to help push the Tigers from the Big 12 by rallying public support for a move. Sounds crazy, but rule nothing out at this point, people.
As of this instant, there’s literally no telling what’s going on in Columbia or within the Big 12. A few hours ago, it looked like Missouri was committed to its current league and expansion was slowing down. Now — while many still believe the above to be factual — some are claiming the Tigers have a split in their administration and their eyes are wandering toward Dixie.
Lord knows what tomorrow will bring.
So without further ado, here’s your Friday morning expansion breakdown (shakedown, takedown, everybody wants into the crowded light):
1. Dan Beebe was forced out as commissioner of the Big 12 and former Big 8 commish Chuck Neinas is waiting in the wings to serve as interim. (Beebe inherited an impossible situation in the Big 12. The league made Texas king when it welcomed the Longhorns in the mid-90s. Nebraska wisely saw what was coming. When a league has to kiss one school’s ring to keep it happy, there’s no way to keep the other league schools feeling good about themselves. Blame Beebe if you like, but a castle built on sand…)
2. It appears a deal that would hand over each schools’ Tier I and Tier II media rights to the league is helping to save the Big 12. But that deal isn’t signed yet. (The takeaway? If a school leaves before the six-year commitment is up, it loses it’s TV rights for the length of the contract no matter where it goes… meaning it adds nothing to its new league. If Big 12 schools actually sign that deal and other leagues decide to implement that idea in their own houses, the SEC could be a 13-school conference for quite some time.)
3. Oklahoma president David Boren said the Big 12 needed “more than an expression of solidarity” and it required “unequivocal commitments.” (Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton — when asked if MU might leave if things aren’t fixed — said “That’s a hypothetical that could occur.” Unequivocal indeed.)
4. The folks at PowerMizzou.com — the Rivals site covering Missouri — reveal that Deaton was much more reserved in his discussion of the Big 12′s survival than Boren was. The site also claims that while AD Mike Alden says everyone at MU is on the same page, “there are numerous people in positions of power at Missouri that strongly want to leave the Big 12.” (Judging by Mizzou messageboards and our own inbox, it seems Tiger fans have gotten a bit more passionate about a move to the SEC in the past couple of days. The same thing happened with Aggie fans last year. Are we witnessing the equivalent of the Arab Spring in the Big 12?)
5. The Kansas City Star says that Mizzou’s commitment to the Big 12 wasn’t really a commitment at all and that the SEC remains an option. Get this:
“‘We either stick in the Big 12 because everything came about the way it needs to, the right way, with all the differences being settled in Missouri’s favor,’ a university administrator who asked not to be identified told The Star on Thursday night. ‘But what are the odds of that happening? The other option is to join another conference and I believe that is something that we’re very open to.’”
As of this posting, MU is still in the Big 12 and trying to save it. But that could change by tomorrow, next week or next month.
6. Boren said he doesn’t want his school, Texas or any other school “driving the train” in the Big 12. (All evidence to the contrary.)
7. In case you haven’t noticed, Texas’ image has taken a beating over the past two months. (Yeah, stomping on your leaguemates like Godzilla on Tokyo skyscrapers will do that for you.)
8. Andy Staples of SI.com says Texas A&M should be happy because a stable Big 12 “means Baylor no longer has any reason to threaten a lawsuit against the SEC.” (As we’ve said before, we’ll believe Kenneth Starr’s finished making threats when we hear him say so or when we see A&M in the SEC. If you believe Missouri’s take and not Oklahoma’s, it seems there’s still a lot of work to do to save the Big 12. A&M fans may have to wait a bit longer still.)
9. After last night’s presser, Starr said he was pleased that Big 12 presidents “have come together… to recommit themselves.” (Did they have to be re-baptized?)
10. Elsewhere in Realignment World, this writer says John Swofford and the ACC didn’t panic by adding Syracuse and Pittsburgh. (As we stated Thursday morning, the ACC guaranteed its very survival by raiding the Big East and that’s a positive move no matter how you slice it. Besides, as George C. Scott pointed out in “Patton,” even Alicibiades knew that going for Syracuse meant going for the throat.)
11. In the Big East, Navy says it has no timetable for joining that league and that there are a lot of hoops left to jump through before that deal is done.
12. When it comes to growing the Big 12, this report claims once Big East-bound TCU’s chances are rising. (Another sidenote from this report: One Big 12 administrator was bothered that OU’s Boren called his own press conference to upstage the presser previously scheduled by the chairman of the Big 12′s board of directors. Great league those folks have, no?)
13. Finally, you think you’re tired of this realignment nonsense? How’d you like to be a bowl official with no clue who you’ll be partnered with in coming seasons.
For symbolic reasons, we’ll stop at 13 and sign off. Our SEC game projections will be up later Friday morning.
SEC better make peace with WVU, Mizzou isn't leaving the Big12.
Invite to Missouri... Come on in, the SEC water's fine. We will even share the water equally with you.
If you don't care for the way 'The L.H.N. 12' operate, don't complain, do something about it.
Besides, as George C. Scott pointed out in “Patton,” even Alicibiades knew that going for Syracuse meant going for the throat".
Well done John. Any Patton references are always well-received.
And I agree about the ACC being smart and proactive. It makes them predator instead of prey, and greatly strengthens them for the future as it puts them in great shape to land Notre Dame (google it folks- they would go ACC over BIG) and possibly even PSU (never been incorporated into BIG).
Credit to Swofford for having the stones to act and not being a hypocrite like so many of these commissioners and presidents are. They all want to make moves but none want to seem like the bad guy. Props to Swofford for not being afraid of being Darth Vader.
As for Mizzou, get out while you can.
And good point, John- even though the vast majority of CFB media types bemoan expansion as the end of the world, the fans want to see compelling football. Mizzou to the SEC, a PAC16 with OU and UT, etc- those ideas get people excited.
Would some schools get left behind ? Yes- but there's a reason for that- they can't compete at a high level and would be better off competing against their true peers one level below the big boys.
Baylor, Iowa St, Cincy, etc are also rans at the top level, but would have great programs at the FCS level.
I actually go to Mizzou and I desperately want us to go to the SEC, it has the best football in the country and will bring Mizzou a lot more prestige. There is no logical reason to stay in the "Bevo 12" any longer.
There was a rumor that the Governor of Missouri, Jay Nixon, was threatening not to reappoint any curators that didn't vote to got to the SEC.
If I had to guess, there's an evil scheme afoot to get the hell out, but it is Missouri so they WILL screw it up somehow, that is our tradition.
I'm hardcore SEC and want you folks with us. You bring plenty, and will be a fine addition. I think i understand a common theme of "conflicted", that seems to go back 150 years. That is OK. Better to think on stuff than act rashly. But at some point , a decision must be made, and other $h1t is happening, also. I am suggesting here that those of you who want to hook up with us work on those that can't make up their mind. The "handcuff" reference reminded me very much of how the Japanese "insured" the devout loyalty and performance of their kamikaze pilots. Everyone understands how that worked out. I believe you guys and gals need to get loud NOW if you want it. Life is good here. You're gonna dig it. Come on.
If Missouri does pull off the SEC move, ten years from now they may not have the "screw it up" rep. As a state, they do a lot right.
As an Arkansas fan, it would be great to have an away game as close as Columbia. From where I live, it's only slightly farther to Columbia than Fayetteville.
In the days of the old SWC, the visiting conference teams, other than Texas and A&M, seldom brought more than a couple thousand to Fayetteville.. Texas and A&M only did a little better. When we moved to the SEC I don't think a visiting SEC team has ever been that low at Fayetteville. An extra $300k per home game paid by your SEC brothers will cover a lot of exit fees over time, not to mention the equal SEC pay out.
Just to comment on the idea that a school would sign over its media rights even in the event that it left the conference......
I think that's ridiculous. Whether the league is stable or not, what individual in their right mind would handcuff themselves like that? I have no problem with the idea of an exit fee or some form of penalty for leaving a contract, but the idea that you actually say to your former business partner....."hey, yeah, however much money I make for the next 20 years is automatically yours no matter what happens." I have no idea, but I hope the SEC has no such agreement.
Right now I see this as nothing but positioning by Mizzou to leverage more out of TU and OU in Mizzou's favor. This sounds so much like "give me what I want or I am gone to the SEC" "The SEC wants me so you better give me this, this, this, this" At some point they are going to call Mizzou's bluff.
Do we really want a little brat like that in our conference??? I would rather have WVU or ECU. At least they want to be part of a team.
Mizzou alum here. I've been following this obsessively. I trust the reporting from the Rivals site and KC Star -- both very dialed in with Missouri officials. There's a battle going on in Columbia. Athletic department and football coach and many others in the University want the SEC. They're trying to drag along those who are reluctant. OU's press conference stunt was an effort to hamstring Mizzou or scare off the SEC. OU's best option is Big 12 and they want to lock up Missouri. Hence, Boren's spin that the rights thing was a done deal and the conference was saved, while our chancellor was saying, "We'll do what's best for Missouri." Word is OU's behavior last night only helped the pro-SEC folks and pushed the pro-Big 12 folks toward the SEC. Saving the Big 12 is, in my opinion, the best way for MU and A&M to get free of it. If Big 12 orphans have a home, they sign the litigation releases that SEC wants.
When I read about that press conference stunt by Bowen, I was like wow. That wraps up the B12 in a nutshell. This was one of the other presidents running rough shod over the person selected to be the voice for the conference. If I had been the Mizzou President, I would have resigned the conference title after that meeting. This would have eliminated the conflict of interest that is going on with him having to be on both sides of the fence - trying to hold the B12 together while also making sure that he is making decisions that are best for the long term future of the University. Which are clear that they might not be one in the same. That is why it is coming off as posturing to try and get the best deal out of OU/TU. Mizzou will never present a united front - that is part of the nature of the state. It is a western, mid-western and southern state. It is rural and urban. The University reflects that mentality (which is not a bad thing). However Mizzou needs to decide soon. Either we are going all in with the B12, or we are going to decide what is best for Mizzou, which might include the B12.
Agree that Boren resigning has to be next step and that we need to decide soon. Good understanding of Missouri -- it's a real mix. That's why it's often considered a bellwether state in national elections -- it's a little microcosm of the whole country. To me, SEC makes perfect sense. But it means walking away from historical rivals/partners and the unknown for the unknown. Huge decision. Easy for me to say, "Hurry up and decide, dammit." But if I was actually making the decision, I'd want to be deliberate and thoughtful about it. I think Slive and the SEC get that. That said, I want it done today.
WVU or ECU would drag down both the athletic and the academic profiles of the SEC. This would cost the Volunteers money. But then again, quality and Volunteers and thinkin' don't belong in the same sentence. Love your coach, ya'll keep him around longer than your last one, hear?
When asked if falling short of those changes that Missouri might exit the Big 12, Deaton said:
“That’s again a hypothetical that could occur. In a sense anything is possible. That’s all recognized and that’s what has led to the discussions that we’ve had over the last several weeks.”
When asked about the SEC, Deaton said that was another hypothetical and he wouldn’t elaborate further.
Asked if the SEC was still in play, the administrator, who contacted The Star, said: “You will not look stupid by insinuating that.”
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/22/3161236/sec-...
MIZ_SEC...
Again, please... no links in the comment section.
And we linked above to the same story you did.
Many thanks,
John
If Missouri wants out it is sitting right there on a silver platter.
Politely decline to sign over your Tier 1 and Tier 2 rights to the conference and let them kick you out. What is Ken Starr going to sue Missouri for refusing to give him their Tier 1 and Tier 2 rights?
Yes. It's Ken Starr we are talking about here. The man will sue you if look at him the wrong way. Doesnt matter if he can win or not, all he cares about is scaring you with a prolonged legal battle.
****WARNING*** Nothing i write here or anywhere else is permitted to be read by or to a lawyer, or any officer of the courts, or any person or other entity that has ever met or communicated or been in the same timezone as a lawyer. Discovery will reveal i am a deceased itinerant sharecropper from Pluto.
Absolutely correct. There will be a lawsuit, even if you did what he wanted, because the idea that you might have done it somehow injured his party. that is why lawyers have such a terrible rep. So, accept it, suck it up, call your Legal department, and get it on.
It seems Baylor's secret plan is to be the first University to finance their entire operation from law suits.
Any good Baptist should be familiar with I Corinthians 6:1-8. If Baylor is serious about their faith, Ken would be a falling Starr.
Boren asked for Beebe's head, and got it.
Maybe not public, but he's asking for Deaton to step down as B12 chairman of the board of directors.
My guess, he wants to run MIzzou off and add enough teams to go back to 12. OU gets the northern division and Texas takes the south. ESPN makes it work with mega bucks.
B12 championship game is winner take all to BCS championship every year between Texas and OU. They can even keep the RRR. In most years, a 12-1 B12 champion would still have a good chance to BCS championship game. If not, they get the sweet BCS bowl.
OU and Texas have a cakewalk through conference and don't have to get beat up everyweek in the SEC. Texas doesn't even have to play A&M right before the conference game. They get to start a new tradition with Tech, TCU (if B12 adds), or heaven forbid, Baylor.
Bottom line, Boren is up to something. His bluffs are now easy to read.
No chance Boren "wants' to run off Mizzou...the B12 is too weak now, they can't afford to lose a top tier university.
Boren is trying to save face (and the conference), since he was rejected by the PAC 12. Now he can claim firing Beebe has his great achievement and "saving" the B12.
Its kinda sad....nothing has changed....it will still be a league drivin by Texas...but the seven dwarfs will each get more $$ to put up with it..This time, next year, we'll be talking about how ESPN got the LHN added as part of the basic cable package in Kansas..
This is absolutely false. Why in the world would OU want to run Mizzou off and lose 2 of its largest TV markets? How would that possibly help the league's stability and financial wherewithal?
OU is trying to pressure Mizzou to stay, saying the Big 12 is all hunky-dory now, so if Mizzou does end up leaving we can be blamed as the bad guy that was unreasonable and selfish (sound familiar A&M and Nebraska fans?). OU lost their leverage, and now they want everyone else to lose theirs too.
I hear you, but I could see a scenario where Texas and OU run things with a bunch of lackey second fiddle schools. That way it comes down to Texas or OU, winner take all. Strength of conference is fine with Texas and OU and a boatload of cash from ESPN.
The second fiddle schools need to be all in, just for the money. Mizzou may be like A&M and not want to live in the shadows, preferring to take the chances of life in the SEC.
You're probably right, my hunch is off base. But something is going on with Boren, or else why on earth would he be doing things like trying to upstage Deaton?
Even more odd (and hilarious) is that the two press conferences were on the same conference call, with OU's president talking over Deaton (Mizzou Chancellor and Big XII Chairman)...if that is true, it is just too much!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/and...
Russ...
We've asked people a dozen times to please not post links in the comment section. We have a lot of people who post advertisements, spam or links to their own websites in order to get free advertising from us.
Also, we linked to the very same story you did. And we discussed it. And we mentioned Andy Staples by name.
If folks are going to comment under the story, we only ask that that they take the time to read it first.
Many thanks,
John
It sounds like Mizzou is being very deliberate. I think there will be little action until we see how the A & M exit goes. Why would the OU president have a press conference the same time as the conference chair? That is odd, but typical of the one upsmanship of this conference.
OU is trying to pressure Mizzou to sign and agree to stay in the Big 12. OU lost all their leverage when they went public with a desire to go to the PAC and then were denied, so now they know they're only shot is to make the Big 12 into what they want. Boren was caught in numerous fabrications during last night's presser, and the fact that they even had a presser 15 minutes before the start of Mizzou's (announced hours after the Mizzou announcement) should speak volumes.
That press conf was so weird with Boren calling in while Deaton was talking. It was like "Big brother is watching you, be careful what you say".
There is no way that any school is remaining in the Big XII unless they have no choice or it is in their clear advantage to remain (Texas and OU fit into both of these categories). There is no way that any school with a choice is staying in the Big XII. Given last night's presser, it seems that Missouri stays in Big XII only if (1) SEC has sent a back door message that no invite is forthcoming, or (2) Missouri has its heart set on the B1G and believes that that invite comes when Big XII finally implodes. While the SEC may not have given Missouri a formal or even an informal invite, it is hard to imagine that it has told Missouri "no way, no how." Unless Missouri is holding out for the B1G, then it needs to grow a pair and announce that it is leaving - as did A&M. This would allow the SEC to respond with a conditional invite - as was done with A&M.
Signing a contract that states your university will lose its rights to TV contract monies no matter where you go is freakin ridiculous. I wonder if that could even hold up in court? What I get it, the venue is probably in Texas if a dispute arises. Is football even worth it? I mean, there is no way my kid is ever going to Baylor. Who would sign such a document with Baylor in the conference? I will tell you... The ones that it benefits like Texas and Baylor or the ones who have no real options like Kansas and Kansas State. Missouri if you think the SEC will take you then you need to get the hell out of there. Can you fight to change the exit fee? Yes, but do you really want to play in a conference where you have to fight for something like that? That just seems unconscionable to me. The Big 12 is acting like a maniplative and controlling partner. If this was your child in a relationship, you would tell your child to dump the other person. Missouri have a little self respect you can do better get out before it is too late.
Gatormoss,
That's what the Big 10 has. All rights are pledged to the conference for a period of 20 years.
hangtime79
My rant was in reference to MrSEC comment to the takeaway clause on a new deal Big12 members are suppose to sign.
(The takeaway? If a school leaves before the six-year commitment is up, it loses it’s TV rights for the length of the contract no matter where it goes… meaning it adds nothing to its new league.
Its not a takeaway clause, its a misunderstanding by Mr SEC. The Big 12 is discussing a model that the Big 10 uses today. The Big 10 as a part of their conference pledges its Tier 1,2,3 rights to the conference. The Big 12 is discussing the pledging of Tier 1 and 2 rights to the conference. If Penn State left for the ACC tomorrow, the conference would own still own PSU's rights for the next 16-17 years. While it looks like a "takeaway" it really isn't because PSU has already given them to the conference. The Big 12 is talking about the same thing model, which was discussed when Kevin Weiberg was still the conference commissioner. If under this new model, Mizzou signed and then bolted for the SEC, Mizzou would leave but their Tier 1,2 rights would stay with the conference because Mizzou pledged them already. It gives the appearance and effect of a "takeaway" but in reality the school no longer owns those rights but rather the conference does after they are signed.
hangtime79
You certainly know some details; therefore, I will have to differ to your analysis. However, the truth is in the details... You intially Initially you used the word, pledge. A pledge is not a guarantee. It is a commitment. Like when I tried to raise money to convert a warehouse to a youth centric volleyball facilty I took pledges, but knowing some of the pledges would not make it in the bank because of various items like the economy.
If the Big 12 is only asking for a pledge, I would not pledge anything with a Baylor in my group. I might be worried that they will sue whether they have justification or not. Baylor actions depict them as a spoiled little $%#@. (1/2)
The problem with the Big 12 is not that their prior agreements were flawed, but the players at the table do not respect one another. Texas clearly wants to be independent, but Texas is even better off if they can act independent, but get all the benefits of being part of a group. Schools like Baylor are better off taging along because their is a symbiotic relationship with Texas. Schools like Missouri should let Baylor and Texas have each other and go where they will be an equal partner and treated with respect. Big 10 and SEC both sound great. I want Missouri in the SEC so Im bias. (2/2)
Pledging in the law sense is the assignment of collateral to entity in the event of non-performance.
From Dictionary.com:
Pledge - something delivered as security for the payment of a debt or fulfillment of a promise, and subject to forfeiture on failure to pay or fulfill the promise.
Law
a. the act of delivering goods, property, etc., to another for security.
b. the resulting legal relationship.
In our example of Penn State. Penn State agreed to stay in the Big 10 (agreement), received a % of the BTN and fees each year (consideration), and pledged their media rights (collateral). Depending on how the contract is written the pledged asset can either be held or used by the entity that it was pledged too. In the case of the Big 12, they would use the same road map as the Big 10. The reason pledging your media assets to the conference is so much more powerful is that the conference already has the asset whereas exit fees are provided after the non-performance event. Also, media rights are the one item of value that is most valuable in all of this realignment exercise.
I already differed to your analysis in the contractual arrangement being worked on and I agree with the legal definition of pledge. I agree with MrSEC depiction of this agreement being in essense a "takeaway", but understand perhaps the word usage was incorrect, but acceptable given the Blog environment. I agree with myself that the problem with the Big 12 is not the prior agreement but the universities not respecting one another.
Now that I followed up the word "pledge" from your definitions and read how it applied in real cases on my own, their is no way in $#% I would pledge to the Big 12 in its current environment. Baylor cannot be trusted and Texas is too scared to go independent, and it appears the universities are affraid to leave their comfort zone.
Ironically, if a miracle happens and the Big-12 is born again and anew and resembles a workable conference, they have Texas AM to thank. The only university brave enough to stand up for itself in the face of an unclear future.
hangtime79...
Thanks for correcting us... but we never said it was a "takeaway clause." We were summing up how the system worked. And we spelled it out correctly. We simply began that explanation by writing "The takeaway?" much like we could have started by saying "The skinny?" "The meaning?" and then gone into the explanation.
Also, other conferences do share their media rights and allow their leagues to negotiate all rights deals. But I'm not sure that other leagues would be able to tell a school that it can't make money if if left. That's why everyone was writing about this last night. This would be more iron clad... apparently.
But it was 2am and we were trying to figure out a lot of things quickly and didn't have time to dig into other conference's contracts. If someone's done that in the last 7 hours... cool.
But we never said it was a "takeaway clause." So there was no misunderstanding on our part.
Thanks for reading the site,
John
MrSEC
I have never done this Blog medium before. Boy do I have alot to learn. I'm not sure what the boundaries are. I felt like I was contributing by putting words in your mouth and that was not my intention. Glad you stepped in and represented yourself!
Thanks
Thanks John for the clarification.
As far as media rights: As I have understood it through one of the other sites I read, FrankTheTank, an attorney living in Chicago who has been on top of the realignment news from a Big 10 perspective, even if Big 10 school were to leave the conference their media rights would not go with them automatically. They could still make money and schedule but their Tier 1,2,3 media rights would have to either released or be repurchased from the Big 10. How that would work exactly in practice, I'm not quite sure, would the school defecting be paid but all other funds would still flow to the conference? It sounds quite messy and the reason I think everybody was shocked last night when they read that. Personally, I do not believe the Big 12 can do it. The sort of agreement that I understand the Big 10 is under is a product of harmony not a creator of harmony. I am posting over there for confirmation but I believe this to be accurate.
Thanks for writing :)
hangtime79...
If that's the case with the Big Ten -- and I have no idea if it is, but I'll go with you on that one -- it was a deal signed by like-minded schools in one of America's strongest leagues. You're right that the Big 12 will have a hard time duplicating such a plan. Instead of schools signing up out of a sense of togetherness, they would be signing up due to a sense of panic and fear.
John
Now that we have all that of the air. :)
I absolutely agree with you. If I am Deaton or anyone else in this conference I am not putting my school in this shotgun wedding without a chance to bail. As for Baylor, Baylor is rational. You know every move Baylor will make because its based on self preservation. If it involves Baylor getting left out of an AQ conference they will fight. The one you have to worry about, the one that has extended this furball, and possibly submarined TAMU going to the SEC, and had every school headed for the hills is Boren. If he says nothing, BYU is already in the Big 12, there is no legal threat because the conference stays put, and TAMU and SEC are living happily ever after. If Boren shuts up last night, the Big 12 conference is probably solidified, maybe no BYU but possibly an AF or TCU, and TAMU is on its way to the SEC. Now all heck is breaking loose once again and nobody feels safe thus Baylor (don't forget ISU and KU) will not waive their rights and Baylor may still sue. Until this thing blows up or solidifies Slive can do nothing.
Well written. Some of the differences of opinion and perspective is pretty neat. I agree Baylor is acting in their best interest. From my perspective I still think Baylor is a little $%#@. I do not agree with sueing for the sake of protecting your money if you are morally wrong and holding someone else down for your own benefit. Baylor is not strong enough to stand on their own two feet, so they sue. When this metaphorically happens to my children, I let them taste the disappointment and tell them what they need to do to be on their own two feet the rightway. By Baylor not acting righteous they will assure themselve always being second rate. So yes, logical but if the institution Baylor was a person. I would be cordial with them, but never do business with them.
I'm sure their are alot of workings going on that will affect the outcome more than Baylor, but I just can not get it out of my head how #$@%& Baylor is from a moral and weakness standpoint. Pathetic!
Yes the whole conference is dysfuctional! If a college is brave and has the means, I say, get the $#@% out.
But B1G adds in $$$ from the B1G Network, a huge cash cow for ALL schools.
The cash cow network in B12 goes only to the cows.
Yes but the money doesn't matter. The Big 10 had this same model in place since at least the early 90's and re-upped with the membership in 2007 when the BTN was launched. As consideration for re-upping each school received an equal share of the BTN. The BTN was some nice consideration for re-upping but it does not impact the actual pledge as the pledge can be done with any consideration.
As Larry Scott would say, the B1G has a "culture of equality". It goes far beyond sharing TV $$. What is the chance that the B12 has developed this same "culture" since Tuesday? About as likely as Ohio State announcing a move to the ACC this afternoon...
[...] College football is in full swing. The big college football drama has been the conference realignment…and where we end up.The Pac 10 has said it is standing pat. The SEC is adding Texas A&M so far. The ACC has signed up Rutgers and Syracuse. I am sure that more dominoes are going to fall in the coming months, even though Missouri has apparently said they are staying put or not. [...]
[...] Sporting News Big 12 conference tries to come together after near breakup – Andy Staples – SI.com Alabama | MrSEC.com PowerMizzou.com – Tigers talk but say little [...]