The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Babs]

Asks the good doctor.

Now, noah, be nice. I'm sure the hospital handles all that.

[TripletDaddy]

This is crunch time for aTm.

I bet there are a lot of people in College Station squeezing their testicles right now!

[Viking]

This is crunch time for aTm.

I bet there are a lot of people in College Station squeezing their testicles right now!

The only sign needed at UT/a&m is one that says:
"who's your daddy?"

Seriously, this is high-larious. Only aggy could pull something off like this.

[Uncle Ted]

This is crunch time for aTm.

I bet there are a lot of people in College Station squeezing their testicles right now!

LOL.

[OrangeUte]

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!! aTm plays the fool. I hope Baylor makes this move just because it will be so dang funny!

[Moliere]

Why doesn't Baylor just go independent and put their games up on the Trinity Broadcasting Network? Joel Osteen could do the play by play.

[LA Ute]

Yes, you can waive your right to sue. It's generally called a release and/or covenant not to sue. It's usually not given without some substantial consideration, however. (I.e., $$$ in most cases.) What's interesting is that the SEC, in playing it safe, has handed Baylor and anyone who joins it a huge barganing chip. (I'm assuming it's possible for Big 12 members to change their vote, and I'll bet it is.) So will Bayor simply block the move, or will money change hands? Probably the latter.

[Devildog]

This one move (or non-move) with A&M makes just about everyone here happy.

BYU may get their invite

Utah doesn't have to put up with UT in the PAC

Redlegger and Gaffords both get what they want,

Who was all originally for this again, besides A&M?

[Moliere]

I'll just remind everyone that aTm is going to the SEC. It's a done deal. Baylor is merely a pothole on their road to the SEC.

[Cougarmandias]

Oh, dear. I didn't even realize we were even piling on babs.

I can't, I'm Mormon.

[OrangeUte]

Yes, you can waive your right to sue. It's generally called a release and/or covenant not to sue. It's usually not given without some substantial consideration, however. (I.e., $$$ in most cases.) What's interesting is that the SEC, in playing it safe, has handed Baylor and anyone who joins it a huge barganing chip. (I'm assuming it's possible for Big 12 members to change their vote, and I'll bet it is.) So will Bayor simply block the move, or will money change hands? Probably the latter.

This was my thought also. I wonder if Baylor will demand payment of $$$, and if they get it, will other teams follow suit? SEC played it smart. Get a release from conference and all of the teams. I would love to see what the B12 letter to the sec concerning the release actually said. Hopefully the sec gets more than just a letter from the B12 - they need an actual release.

[Uncle Ted]

I'll just remind everyone that aTm is going to the SEC. It's a done deal. Baylor is merely a pothole on their road to the SEC.

[Uncle Ted]

Hmm... Apparently none of the Big 12 teams will sign the waiver according to Chip Brown on the radio this morning.

[Uncle Ted]

Chip Brown update...

10 AM - Was just told by two Big 12 administrators the SEC now wants all nine schools in the Big 12 to sign a waiver saying they will not sue the Southeastern Conference over the depature of Texas A&M to the SEC.

And I'm told the Big 12 schools will not sign those waivers.

Texas A&M has confirmed to Orangebloods.com that a celebration planned for today in College Station to announce Texas A&M as the 13th member has been postponed indefinitely until the threat of litigation can be resolved.

"At this time, we do not intend on making an announcement today," said A&M spokesman Jason Cook. "But the situation is extremely fluid."

Things could get sticky because a letter on Sept. 2 from Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe to SEC commissioner Mike Slive said that the Big 12 would waive the right to any litigation against the SEC as long as he Aggies were members of the SEC by 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 (Thursday).

Beebe sent a letter back to Slive on Tuesday saying the waiver in that Sept. 2 letter applied only to the Big 12 Conference and was not binding to the Big 12's member schools.

The SEC was contacted on Tuesday by lawyers representing Baylor that BU did not intend to waive its right to sue the SEC, sources said.

The SEC then admitted Texas A&M as the 13th member of the conference contingent upon the SEC being released from any legal liability by the nine member schools in the Big 12.

And I'm being told there's no way all the schools will sign such a waiver.

Stay tuned.


8:30 AM - Here is the statement issued by Florida president Bernie Machen, chair of the Southeastern Conference presidents and chancellors board, on Texas A&M's (contingent) acceptance into the SEC:

"After receiving unanimous written assurance from the Big 12 on September 2 that the Southeastern Conference was free to accept Texas A&M to join as a new member, the presidents and chancellors of the SEC met last night with the intention of accepting the application of Texas A&M to be the newest member of the SEC.

"We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action.

"The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. The SEC voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M University as a member upon receiving acceptable reconfirmation that the Big 12 and its members have reaffirmed the letter dated September 2, 2011."

[LA Ute]

This was my thought also. I wonder if Baylor will demand payment of $$$, and if they get it, will other teams follow suit? SEC played it smart. Get a release from conference and all of the teams. I would love to see what the B12 letter to the sec concerning the release actually said. Hopefully the sec gets more than just a letter from the B12 - they need an actual release.

It's a nightmare for aTm's lawyers. Imagine having to negotiate 8 separate releases from parties who hate your client and what your client wants to do.

I'd love to see a 60 Minutes-style interview with the brain trust at aTm that came up with this harebrained idea.

EDIT: People have strong opinions either way about Ken Starr, but he's one of the brightest legal minds in the country. Get ready for a great chess game.