Big 12 Expansion Project

[Grandpa Zorro]

Adding Houston to protect recruiting and stick it to aggy doesn't make sense.  UH doesn't add to the TV footprint and they are ONE year into a resurgence which could end when Tom Herman moves on as he inevitably will.  (see Briles, Sumlin).  They have been irrelevent since the end of the SWC and will continue to be until they can string together a few years like they have had this year.  The Big 12 needs schools in the east in order to open up new TV markets and to geographically help out WV.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Adding Houston to protect recruiting and stick it to aggy doesn't make sense.  UH doesn't add to the TV footprint and they are ONE year into a resurgence which could end when Tom Herman moves on as he inevitably will.  (see Briles, Sumlin).  They have been irrelevent since the end of the SWC and will continue to be until they can string together a few years like they have had this year.  The Big 12 needs schools in the east in order to open up new TV markets and to geographically help out WV.

Why do we need new TV markets? The Big12 doesn't have a conference network. That rationale works for BTN and SECn - not us.

I disagree that it "doesn't add to the TV footprint". If that's the case, why did we add TCU? IMO, it helps us lock down major TX markets for the Big12. You can certainly argue that UT already has a strong presence there, but it's fragmented with aggie in the SEC.

I look at H-town as a good place to draw our proverbial line in the sand.

http://www.cardiaccoogs.com/2015/06/28/a-big-12-invite-may-be-coming-soon-for-houston-and-why-it-makes-sense/

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I honestly don't know when or if the Big12 will expand.

My gut tells me that no changes are eminent because we can now hold a Big12 Championship with only 10 teams. I don't think we'll do that, either, short-term. I do, however, get tired of Boren talking about starting a Big12 Network when no one is willing to bundle or pay for those T3 rights.

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2016/02/03/hot-air-big-12-network-horizon-athletic-directors-presidents-meet-week

IMO, cord-cutting is the wave of the future so the number of cable households in a given market will soon be less important if not irrelevant. But, here's the Orlando Sentinel  bragging about the size and growth of the Orlando-Tampa DMA while arguing for UCF's addition to the Big12. Enjoy

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-big-12-ucf-expansion-oklahoma-boren-media-20160201-story.html

 

[Embrey]

I doubt the Big12 perceived a non-P5 Big East/AAC as much of a threat.

I'm also sure the ACC knows they're available. Realistically, the Big12 is UH's only shot at a P5 invite. I'm not against adding them, but they're obviously not our first choice.

I think we agree a lot for different reasons but I have to quibble a bit.  When TCU joined the Big East there were 6 major conferences with automatic BCS bowl tie-ins.  Only after TCU/WVU left in 2012 (and for other more important reasons) did the Big East cease to be as a major football conference.  So, to lump that argument under P5 does not make sense.  Would the Big East have imploded anyway?  Probably.  But, it was a major conference at the time.

If we are to go east, which direction do you think the ACC needs to expand?  If they expand west, who will they go for?

I cannot help but think that the next rumored realignment in major college football may be a battle to the death between what we know today as the BIG XII and the ACC.

I know you are not dead set against adding UH although they are not your first choice.  Like you, I think adding them secures the BIG XII footprint in Houston and to risk not adding them risks all hell breaking loose within our footprint.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I know you are not dead set against adding UH although they are not your first choice.  Like you, I think adding them secures the BIG XII footprint in Houston and to risk not adding them risks all hell breaking loose within our footprint.

In hindsight, I would've added Louisville as number 11 and figure out #12 from there. 

I was actually surprised WVU was chosen instead, but they're a good fit culturally if not geographically. I'm not sure the Big12 will wait on the ACC to implode before making their next move. Houston won't be a surprise to me, but I'd like to see the metrics used for their addition instead of a school like UCF.

BYU is the obvious best option out there, but their administration is rumored to be difficult and their geography is in the wrong direction. No threat of the secular Pac-16 adding them, either.

 

[Embrey]

http://www.frogsowar.com/2016/2/5/10781266/cutting-the-cord-and-its-impact-on-big-12-expansion

Interesting thoughts that encompass most of the opinions touched on in this thread. It shows the possible peril of over expansion and even makes one consider the GOR and the term of our deal (2025) might be a big part of the reason that the BIG XII survives.

 

[jonofui]

BYU is the obvious best option out there, but their administration is rumored to be difficult and their geography is in the wrong direction. No threat of the secular Pac-16 adding them, either.

In a 16 team league it would be what 2 divisions? 7 games within your division, 2 from the opposing and the championship game? Not a bad idea. Still leaves room for 3 good OOC games if they included a mandatory P5 clause for all teams.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

http://www.frogsowar.com/2016/2/5/10781266/cutting-the-cord-and-its-impact-on-big-12-expansion

Interesting thoughts that encompass most of the opinions touched on in this thread. It shows the possible peril of over expansion and even makes one consider the GOR and the term of our deal (2025) might be a big part of the reason that the BIG XII survives.

Good article. It's not too surprising that the Frogs O War bloggers are well-versed in the variables that influence realignment and expansion. Hell, they lived it for 17 years!

TV contracts are gonna decline the next round of negotiations. Market forces will demand it. Ala carte programming is here to stay and it ain't gonna help ESPN or the NCAA conferences.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

@Big12Fanatic resident media analyst, @TheNumberMonkey, attempts to make sense of OU President, David Boren's posturing and politicizing while answering the question, "What the hell is going on with Boren?". It's a good read and makes a case for why a school like Arkansas may look at the Big12 as a better fit for them.

http://big12fanatics.com/expansion-edition-whats-up-with-boren/

The Razorbacks have a great interest in playing more games in the Texas/Oklahoma area, not to mention getting out of the brutal recruiting wars in the SEC West, but won’t give up something great for something akin to napkin math.  It has told the Big 12, in no uncertain terms, that it is interested, but the Big 12 needs to get its act together first.

Additionally, several billionaire boosters for Arkansas and the Big 12 have been speaking to the Big 12 about ways to make Texas whole if LHN’s contract was ended.  Currently this is merely cocktail talk and nothing formal.  No one is looking to make an offer until the Big 12 can come to an agreement on the direction it wants to take.

 

[PTA]

We need a team that can add a competitive advantage against other conferences and also one that wants a good conference home. I think if Houston joined the Big 12, Herman would likely stick around a while. Briles has at BU as well as Stoops. So, I'm not against Houston joining. I'd also invite BYU or ND.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I find it amusing when journalists keep referencing the "4.5 MM cable TV households in OH". How many of those does UC even deliver? Why is that important if we don't have a Big12 Network to sell? In a cord-cutting world, that number is irrelevant.

UC Prez Ono would be better off showing us this.

 

[jrcruz1026]

The BIG 12 will die eventually, once Texas concedes that in no longer needs its own network and is will to share a larger % of revenue with others in the conference, it would be smartest to join the BIG10

 

[Sirhornsalot]

The BIG 12 will die eventually, once Texas concedes that in no longer needs its own network and is will to share a larger % of revenue with others in the conference, it would be smartest to join the BIG10

I'd disagree with that (big10). I see little to gain from joining either the Big10 or Pac12. Simply because there's no built-in interest via regional affiliation. Sure, Texas vs OSU or Michigan each year looks sexy. But how long can you sell that on the recruiting trail? "Yea, you'll get to see your son play at any home game unless you can afford the airfare."

As much as I hate to say it, Texas has three options here.

1. Go Independent. Works for ND. Could work for Texas.

2. Join the SEC. It's the only regional answer for Texas that currently exists. LSU, Aggy, Piggie and even Ole Miss would be good rivalries and doable driving distances. But I hate the SEC as most of you know.

3. Texas leaves the Big 12, spearheads the beginning of a new conference after 1-2 years as independent. You get OU and a few heavyweights that aren't so far away. You pre-arrange all of this on the down-low until you have your ducks lined up. If marketed right, you could create quite a conference. Members would have to be intriguing, traditional powers. Otherwise, you're duplicating the Big12 and that isn't worth it.

The Big10 has it's own network. You'd have to make some sort of special waiver thing to make it work. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

1. Go Independent. Works for ND. Could work for Texas.

Except ND isn't a true independent any longer. They're a part-time ACC football member contractually obligated to play 5 ACC games per year. This boondoggle was the only thing that kept the ACC from splitting apart.

BYU is independent and they have a helluva time filling their CFB schedule with quality P5 opponents.

2. Join the SEC. It's the only regional answer for Texas that currently exists. LSU, Aggy, Piggie and even Ole Miss would be good rivalries and doable driving distances. But I hate the SEC as most of you know.

Unfortunately, the SEC is the only conference that makes sense geographically. Yeah, I hate 'em too. I don't think our administration wants to be in that league because the academics are below our standards with the exception of Vanderbilt and Florida......and maybe aggy if AAU membership is the bar.

3. Texas leaves the Big 12, spearheads the beginning of a new conference after 1-2 years as independent. You get OU and a few heavyweights that aren't so far away. You pre-arrange all of this on the down-low until you have your ducks lined up. If marketed right, you could create quite a conference. Members would have to be intriguing, traditional powers.

I'm confident UT will have its ducks in a row prior to the Big12's TV contract expiring in 2025. What other "heavyweights" aren't so far away? We've already got every brand that matters in TX right now except aggy. Maybe UH if they continue on an upward trajectory? Only Arky and LSU will be good additions to a revamped Big12.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Well, let's play around with it a minute or two and see what we come up with, shall we?

1. Texas

2. Aggy

3. Nebraska

4. LSU

5. Arkansas

6. Arizona

7. Arizona St

8. OU

9. Okla St

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Well, let's play around with it a minute or two and see what we come up with, shall we?

1. Texas

2. Aggy

3. Nebraska

4. LSU

5. Arkansas

6. Arizona

7. Arizona St

8. OU

9. Okla St

Neither AZ school is "geographically close". They may be a good fit culturally, though.

I doubt Nebraska ever rejoins a league with UT in it, but never say never. 

 

[Brasky]

ACC is the only option I like.  No way I'd go SEC.   It might just be personal preference but I like to think of Texas as being a poor fit for that conference considering how I think aggy fits perfectly (outside of competitive athletics).  I'd like to see:

1)  Independent.  I only like this option if we can broker a deal for annual games against say, 4 teams, with ND being one of them.

2)  Merge with ACC

3)  My favorite option.  Somehow cherry pick.  SEC is off limits as far as I'm concerned.  I met a person from Louisiana once and this was back when LSU sucked.  When I asked where they were from they told me "the SEC".  None of them would leave and frankly I don't like any of them as an institution outside of maybe Florida.  Couldn't we grab OU, OSU (insert 2 Texas schools, Baylor/Tech?), ND, BYU, FSU, Clemson, and then who cares who else??   Cincy and Louisville?  Maybe take Kansas with us for BB and a patsy FB game??   

So,

West:       East:

Texas      ND

OU          FSU

OSU       Clemson

Tech       Louisville

Baylor     Cincy

BYU        Kansas

There, greatest conference of all time.

 

[Brasky]

UCF instead of Kansas probably works better.

Either way, greatness.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

West:       East:

Texas      ND

OU          FSU

OSU       Clemson

Tech       Louisville

Baylor     Cincy

BYU        Kansas

I admire your creativity, Brasky.

How and why do we dismiss TCU, K-State, Iowa State, and West Virginia? I do love the idea of being in a league with ND and FSU, though. BYU? Not so much.