The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Tex]

On the other hand, all these B12 teams "exploring their options" right now is a good thing. After courting other conferences, and being rebuffed like a ginger stepchild, they will now come crawling back to the Big12, content to give up 6 years of media rights, convinced that no one else wants 'em.

Cause nothing says stability like you tried and no one else wanted you.

Heh. Hello, Oklahoma.

[Pelado]

Mizzou wants B1G, but B1G has "no interest"

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoot...te-most-100511

Didn't the Big 10 already tell them that last year?

Mizzou: We would be a great addition to the Big 10
Big 10: We really want to add Notre Dame, but Nebraska will do
Mizzou: We are happy to be in the Big 12

Why are they bringing the humiliation of public rejection on themselves again?

[Paperback Writer]

Are you kidding? They add two new decent sized TV markets and a team that has little to no chance of being anything more than an also ran or the bottom of the barrel. That seems like a decent deal if you're Florida, LSU, Auburn, or Alabama.

In addition, the SEC needs to get to 14 because they said "Yes" to Texas A&M. It's not that Missouri is the most attractive candidate...it's that Missouri is more attractive than the next best available...West Virginia.

But agree with others that the Big 12 is the best place for Missouri unless the Big Ten changes its mind. Missouri would have a more difficult time in the SEC than Texas A&M. I'm in agreement with others that the Aggies are in for some tough times unless they can change the recruiting paradigm very soon and even that's debatable. Missouri has even less of a chance in the SEC.

[Hot Lunch]

In addition, the SEC needs to get to 14 because they said "Yes" to Texas A&M. It's not that Missouri is the most attractive candidate...it's that Missouri is more attractive than the next best available...West Virginia.

But agree with others that the Big 12 is the best place for Missouri unless the Big Ten changes its mind. Missouri would have a more difficult time in the SEC than Texas A&M. I'm in agreement with others that the Aggies are in for some tough times unless they can change the recruiting paradigm very soon and even that's debatable. Missouri has even less of a chance in the SEC.

I would think that there are a couple of ACC teams that would jump at the chance to join the SEC. Not sure what kind of buy out the ACC has but conference realignment is all about football. I would bet that almost every ACC team would jump at the chance to play in the SEC and be a part of that.

[Moliere]

I thought Houston and Hell were the same place.

This summer they were

[Moliere]

Good point.

On Mizzou and the SEC...



I have no idea what the SEC would see in adding Mizzou.

Wrong thread. This belongs in my Mizzou Sucks thread

[Paperback Writer]

Didn't the Big 10 already tell them that last year?

Mizzou: We would be a great addition to the Big 10
Big 10: We really want to add Notre Dame, but Nebraska will do
Mizzou: We are happy to be in the Big 12

Why are they bringing the humiliation of public rejection on themselves again?

The only thing that makes sense to me is this:

Notre Dame: Big East may be crumbling, we need to join a conference for all sports.
Big Ten: About time.
Northwestern: Uh...that now puts the B1G at 13 teams. Our Mathematics department says that's an odd number.
Big Ten: Good point. We need an even number of teams once we got to 12.
Northwestern: Can we kick Nebraska out?
Nebraska: What? And leave Northwestern in? Why doesn't Northwestern just dump all sports like U. of Chicago did years ago?
Big Ten: Good point - Northwestern is a sports embarrassment.
Northwestern: Let's talk academics. Nebraska is no longer in the AAU.
Nebraska: How about adding Missouri or Kansas?
Missouri: We would be a great addition to the Big Ten.
Big Ten: Notre Dame - you cool with Missouri?
Notre Dame: Whatever.
Big Ten: Done deal.

[Paperback Writer]

I would think that there are a couple of ACC teams that would jump at the chance to join the SEC. Not sure what kind of buy out the ACC has but conference realignment is all about football. I would bet that almost every ACC team would jump at the chance to play in the SEC and be a part of that.

In my view, most of the ACC wouldn't take the jump to the SEC. But I think some quality ACC programs would: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Florida St. My understanding is that Florida would block FSU from joining the SEC. Not sure whether Georgia would block GT or if South Carolina would block Clemson. That might just leave Virginia Tech. If it comes down to Mizzou, VT, or WV I still think Mizzou comes out on top. That would change if GT or Clemson were welcomed.

The interesting thing about conference expansion is that the ultimate vote comes down to university presidents/chancellors and their board of directors/regents. When that happens, discussions of academics inevitable occur. In Nebraska's move to the Big Ten, academic opportunity made it a no-brainer decision and vote. That's also a big reason why Missouri wants to join the Big Ten. It's also a reason why a school like Georgia Tech might think twice about joining the SEC because the ACC is an outstanding academic conference - an argument can be made that the ACC is the top academic conference.

[Hot Lunch]

In my view, most of the ACC wouldn't take the jump to the SEC. But I think some quality ACC programs would: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Florida St. My understanding is that Florida would block FSU from joining the SEC. Not sure whether Georgia would block GT or if South Carolina would block Clemson. That might just leave Virginia Tech. If it comes down to Mizzou, VT, or WV I still think Mizzou comes out on top. That would change if GT or Clemson were welcomed.

The interesting thing about conference expansion is that the ultimate vote comes down to university presidents/chancellors and their board of directors/regents. When that happens, discussions of academics inevitable occur. In Nebraska's move to the Big Ten, academic opportunity made it a no-brainer decision and vote. That's also a big reason why Missouri wants to join the Big Ten. It's also a reason why a school like Georgia Tech might think twice about joining the SEC because the ACC is an outstanding academic conference - an argument can be made that the ACC is the top academic conference.

I can see those teams blocking the other teams. They want to be the SEC team in that state. It gives them the recruiting advantage on instate talent. I would also throw North Carolina in there as a possibility as well. Although, they value that basketball rivalry they have with other ACC schools so they might not want to make the jump. Maryland, Virginia and Va. Tech I think would all make the jump.

I still believe that football is the driving factor. It is all about revenue for their athletic departments. Revenue from T.V. contracts and what money will they get from boosters if they are playing in a better conference. Mizzou might have a leg up on some of those schools because of the market it offers. Who knows? It will be interesting to see who the token candidate is that the SEC will bring in. They won't stay at 13.

[Jacob]

Are you kidding? They add two new decent sized TV markets and a team that has little to no chance of being anything more than an also ran or the bottom of the barrel. That seems like a decent deal if you're Florida, LSU, Auburn, or Alabama.

The university sits in the middle of the state and a few hours drive from either KC or St Louis, both of which border and run over into other state. Isn't it relevant whether those TV markets watch much Mizzou football?

[Moliere]

The university sits in the middle of the state and a few hours drive from either KC or St Louis, both of which border and run over into other state. Isn't it relevant whether those TV markets watch much Mizzou football?

They don't even fill their stadium now and they are competitive. Imagine what their stadium will be like when they are 3-6 and playing LSU. LSU fans won travel to a cold and blustery Missoura in October to watch a football game.

[Pelado]

In my view, most of the ACC wouldn't take the jump to the SEC. But I think some quality ACC programs would: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Florida St. My understanding is that Florida would block FSU from joining the SEC. Not sure whether Georgia would block GT or if South Carolina would block Clemson. That might just leave Virginia Tech. If it comes down to Mizzou, VT, or WV I still think Mizzou comes out on top. That would change if GT or Clemson were welcomed.

The interesting thing about conference expansion is that the ultimate vote comes down to university presidents/chancellors and their board of directors/regents. When that happens, discussions of academics inevitable occur. In Nebraska's move to the Big Ten, academic opportunity made it a no-brainer decision and vote. That's also a big reason why Missouri wants to join the Big Ten. It's also a reason why a school like Georgia Tech might think twice about joining the SEC because the ACC is an outstanding academic conference - an argument can be made that the ACC is the top academic conference.

I heard an interview with Bobby Bowden recently (I think on the Dan Patrick show) in which he stated that back when FSU joined the ACC, they also had an invitation from the SEC. He believed that the ACC was better then for FSU because he did't have to go through the Alabama schools to get to a championship. If a similar invitation were extended now, FSU may come to the same conclusion, especially when you add in the academic issues you addressed.

[Viking]

DFW has 6 Apple Stores and 5 Fry's.

There's no point in engaging this knucklehead over Dallas. Anyone who infers a preference to Houston over Dallas is clearly a Moran.

[Uncle Ted]

UT rolls over for Mizzou...

According to multiple sources, Texas, after talking to ESPN, has agreed not to air any content involving high school athletics, not even the news-style highlights that had been approved by the NCAA, sources told Orangebloods.com Wednesday night.

It's the latest attempt to reach peace in the Big 12 as part of an agreement in principle for schools to grant their Tier 1 and 2 TV rights to the conference for six years.

The "compromise" deal was struck Wednesday after Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas gave Texas a 24-hour deadline to consider the Tier 3 content concessions, which impact Texas the most because of its Longhorn Network, sources said.

The question is if this agreement will be enough to keep Missouri in the Big 12.

And it might be a 13 year grant of rights not 6...

Missouri was more interested in a proposal that would grant rights for the 13 years remaining on the Fox television deal struck with the Big 12 in April, sources said.

Missouri and Oklahoma pushed for high school content restrictions on Tier 3 (that would impact the Longhorn Network) as part of the 13-year proposal, sources said.

But talks about granting rights for 13 years broke off after negotiations started Sunday night and went into Monday, sources said.

The talks broke off, in part, because Texas was hesitant to commit to granting rights for more than a decade while also having to make concessions on content impacting the Longhorn Network.

So Texas agreeing to restrict any and all high school content for the next six years, while also granting rights for that length ended up as the compromise, sources said.

Although, a key source said late Wednesday it's still possible the agreement could end up being for 13 years once the Big 12 decides on its final number of members.

On 3rd tier rights...

Some schools in the Big 12 were wary of allowing more than one football game, including conference games, to be aired at the Tier 3 level. But that was not part of the compromise. Schools will continue to be allowed to air at least one football game and additional games could include conference games.

Big 12 presidents and chancellors are expected to talk early Thursday to formally finalize an agreement. It remains to be seen how Missouri will react. But multiple officials across the Big 12 are hoping Mizzou reacts favorably by joining the agreement and staying put.

TCU, BYU and Louisville continue to lead as potential targets of the Big 12. But a key source said West Virginia is not out of the picture, either.

[Uncle Ted]

Banana boy should be happy about this... Tulane is a viable option for the Big 12:

The source said that the top choices remain BYU, Louisville, West Virginia and TCU, but a new school was discussed recently that hasn't been mentioned publicly: Tulane out of Conference USA. The source said the Big 12 has been contacted by a number of other schools about possible inclusion, as well.

The source said that Tulane would become a viable option for the Big 12 if it were to grab four schools to beef up the membership to 12, in a situation where BYU decides it doesn't want to leave its football independence or its new tie to the WCC in all other sports. Tulane is interesting to the Big 12 because of its location in New Orleans and in a state, Louisiana, where the Big 12 is absent, as well as the school's renewed commitment to sports and facilities after Hurricane Katrina.

A source with knowledge of Tulane's situation told ESPN.com that the Green Wave have privately been making overtures to the Big East and Big 12 about possible membership but didn't want to upset Conference USA as that league looks to form a partnership with the Mountain West.

Tulane is also a member of the Association of American Universities -- the only AAU member listed as a possible addition. The prestigious AAU tag is something that the SEC has looked at as an important criterion for expansion as evidenced by the league promoting Texas A&M as one of three AAU members in the SEC in a news release announcing the Aggies' addition. Florida and Vanderbilt are the other two in the SEC.