The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Uncle Ted]

I know. Like we'd ditcch the most glamorous and most complete conference in America for the Big 12.

They are offering Utah the big bucks (i.e. more than they are getting this year) to join to lure BYU into the Big 12 as well. BYU is bound by its word and can't leave its rival behind. Think about it Utah: control of your team's web site, all that 3rd tier money, an "Ute TV" app will all your games to watch, and Ute brand building. BYU is really the bigger catch here.

[Pelado]

I'm just piecing it all together in my mind, and I have come to the conclusion that if BYU is offered, they won't turn it down:

-BYU went independent in part (according to Bronco Mendenhall) to be available for, and make itself attractive enough to, accept a bid to an AQ conference.

-BYU's AD office goes on lockdown once this all began to happen. Why? Because they want real negotiations that will result in a positive invitation for BYU, not a media circus where egos are involved that ends poorly for BYU.

-BYU is always claiming the importance of exposure because BYU sports, particularly football as the University's marquee program, are a missionary tool. Why then, if given the opportunity to have maximum exposure as a member of the Big 12, would they turn it down? You can't claim exposure is the #1 priority on Monday and then turn down an opportunity to have more exposure on Tuesday. It just doesn't add up.

I think BYU is being smart by keeping quiet. My best guess is that President Samuelson's comments last night were made in an effort to not avoid the questions, yet not get people too excited in case an offer doesn’t come. I think that when it's all said and done the BOT will do what is best for BYU...and I (as many of you) have a very difficult time grasping the concept that the Big 12 is not what is best for BYU.

*Note: I have no sources. I'm just a guy who should be working but instead is posting on an anonymous message board.*

I agree with your statements. Additionally, the post from Chip claiming that BYU was no longer interested in the Big 12 had fatal flaws indicating that his "source" is either not close to BYU or is intentionally peddling misinformation.

[snowcat]

They are offering Utah the big bucks (i.e. more than they are getting this year) to join to lure BYU into the Big 12 as well. BYU is bound by its word and can't leave its rival behind. Think about it Utah: control of your team's web site, all that 3rd tier money, an "Ute TV" app will all your games to watch, and Ute brand building. BYU is really the bigger catch here.

Plus the Big 12 will let them keep their Hunstman Center fog machines.

[Uncle Ted]

Chip Brown commenting this morning...

A source close to the situation told Orangebloods.com that Texas will agree to "grant rights" on Tier 1 and Tier 2 television agreements involving the Big 12 for the next six years.

This is a major concession for Texas, which has opposed the granting of rights on Tier 1 and Tier 2 television agreements since the inception of the Big 12 16 years ago. This shows how serious Texas is about keeping the Big 12 together, the source said.

The granting of rights means that the Big 12 owns the rights to televise the majority of Texas football and basketball games over the next six years. Texas would retain its rights at the Tier 3 level, where the Longhorn network operates.

Industry sources have said the reason the Big 12 has been vulnerable to breaking up in the past is because without the granting of rights, every school is essentially a free agent. But when a school turns over its rights to a conference the way the nine remaining schools in the Big 12 have verbally agreed to do, that conference controls a school's television rights at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 level, even if a school was to leave the Big 12.

In other words, if Texas joined the Pac-12 or any other conference over the next six years, the Big 12 would still control the rights to air Texas games, even in the other conference.

My take: This is the show of solidarity that the rest of the conference was waiting for to ensure an iron-clad commitment to hold the conference together. In the past, schools have agreed to certain forms of revenue sharing at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 level but have never turned over their rights to the conference. This should ensure the Big 12 is here to stay, for at least six years.

[creekster]

It seems like the Expansion Committee for the Big-12 still has a lot of work to do, if it's considering adding Utah.

LOL

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/...ut-2179872.php

Good luck with these morons, byu.

It may also be a comment on just how well the Utah brand has penetrated other markets. the brand they remember is BYU and even if you are now in the P12 apparently not many people on the other side of the rockies have really noticed. but thanks for your good wishes

[Jacob]

It seems like the Expansion Committee for the Big-12 still has a lot of work to do, if it's considering adding Utah.

LOL

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/...ut-2179872.php

Good luck with these morons, byu.

Yeah, I really don't get what's so funny about that. Utah has such a long history in the P12 that no other conference should even consider them?

Utah all-time P12 record: 0-1

[LA Ute]

Yeah, I really don't get what's so funny about that. Utah has such a long history in the P12 that no other conference should even consider them?

Utah all-time P12 record: 0-1

I think you should change your moniker to Ray Sunshine.

[Mormon Red Death]

Yeah, I really don't get what's so funny about that. Utah has such a long history in the P12 that no other conference should even consider them?

Utah all-time P12 record: 0-1

You are right...but why stop at Utah? they should go after the arizona schools and Colorado and while they are at it I am sure the Socal schools are interested in the big 12 too!

[Katy Lied]

It seems like the Expansion Committee for the Big-12 still has a lot of work to do, if it's considering adding Utah.

LOL

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/...ut-2179872.php

Good luck with these morons, byu.

It indicates that Hargis was blowing smoke. The Big12 is not really considering all these other schools, he just pulled them out of the air when speaking. If they really had a list of schools to consider, Utah would not have been on it.

(Because Utah just relocated to the Pac 12)

[Jacob]

The flawed assumption here is that it is about the university making more money.

If you don't think the University wants more money for the sports programs, you are crazy. It's about money and exposure. And, of course, more money = more exposure. And with the B12, BYU would get more of both.

You are right...but why stop at Utah? they should go after the arizona schools and Colorado and while they are at it I am sure the Socal schools are interested in the big 12 too!

Great logic. Because, after all, Utah is similarly situated as USC. USC might be interested in joining a conference with BYU because of the geography and traditional rivalry.

Look, no need to read more into my post than what I've said. I think Utah would prefer to stay in the P12, largely because of the stability issue, but also because of the geography. However, if B12 is going to 12 teams, they'd be remiss if they invited BYU and didn't also consider Utah. And Utah would be remiss if they were approached by B12 and didn't consider joining up with BYU. I said CONSIDER. They would likely turn down an offer, but it's not crazy to ask the questions.

After all, for the P12's sacred "culture of equality" (which is a nice spin for "Texas didn't want to join our conference), Utah sure is getting a lot less equal deal than the rest of the P12 teams in terms of revenue sharing.

[Mormon Red Death]

If you don't think the University wants more money for the sports programs, you are crazy. It's about money and exposure. And, of course, more money = more exposure. And with the B12, BYU would get more of both.



Great logic. Because, after all, Utah is similarly situated as USC. USC might be interested in joining a conference with BYU because of the geography and traditional rivalry.

Look, no need to read more into my post than what I've said. I think Utah would prefer to stay in the P12, largely because of the stability issue, but also because of the geography. However, if B12 is going to 12 teams, they'd be remiss if they invited BYU and didn't also consider Utah. And Utah would be remiss if they were approached by B12 and didn't consider joining up with BYU. I said CONSIDER. They would likely turn down an offer, but it's not crazy to ask the questions.

After all, for the P12's sacred "culture of equality" (which is a nice spin for "Texas didn't want to join our conference), Utah sure is getting a lot less equal deal than the rest of the P12 teams in terms of revenue sharing.

So why not go after colorado? They were in the conference a long time with most of those teams and nary a mention? They are remiss damnit!!

[Jacob]

So why not go after colorado? They were in the conference a long time with most of those teams and nary a mention? They are remiss damnit!!

[Cougarmandias]

So why not go after colorado? They were in the conference a long time with most of those teams and nary a mention? They are remiss damnit!!

They're afraid there's a chance Colorado would say yes.

[Mormon Red Death]

You are the one suggesting the big 12 should court utah and I'm the crazy one?

[Sizzle]

So why not go after colorado? They were in the conference a long time with most of those teams and nary a mention? They are remiss damnit!!

Because they've been with Colorado and Colorado chose to leave prior. That relationship has already ended in a divorce. It's not happening.

If you're the Big 12, why not approach it? You know they have a natural rivalry with BYU. If it could mean more money for the University, they would have to at least listen to the proposal, right? I mean, I agree with Jacob in that I think the chances of Utah giving it more than a seconds thought are slim, but if you're the Big 12, what harm is there in exploring?