***Official Big 12 Expansion Thread '16***

surly

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The longer this drags out, the harder it gets to wrap your head around the possible alternatives that are in play. And I'm definitely leaning more towards the possibility that this was all just a ruse to try to pressure the networks into ponying up to prevent bad additions.

My rational side gets to the same conclusion. Your A.D. has made the case for why the old Big 8 schools are not going to favor adding another SWC team without GOR extension. And frankly, I'd trust his words over those of an SI sports scribe.
 

SCNCY

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Good grief. If this is the case, why is expansion being considered in such a public fashion? There are really only a few legitimate candidates, yet the decision-makers aren't even close to being on the same page (reportedly). So what's the point?

How is expansion being done in a public fashion? The big 12 has only stated they are expanding. Everything else has been speculation from sports writers. Is it possible that some of these sport writers are getting fed good information? Probably. But really, it is all just speculation.

As far s not being close on a decision. Do you think when the Big 10 announced expansion, they hashed it all out and decided they were going to choose Nebraska in an hour, but decided to wait 6 months before actually making it official? I am sure there was a lot of debate on whether who to add and the pros and cons of each school they were considering. I would also wager that sport writers in Big 10 country were also making the same speculations back in 2010 as Big 12 writers are now.

The difference here is that schools are being more open and proactive about wanting to be in the conference as opposed to the past, where schools took a more silent and back room approach.
 
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Triggermv

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I work in the business world in a job that requires a ton of posturing, negotiating and strategy every day. All of this is truly a skill set that is developed over time. Therefore, there are definitely people that are good at this and ones that aren't good at all. When the Big 12 first announced their expansion exploration plans publicly, I thought this was a terrible move on the surface as you are essentially showing your cards and reinforcing and advertising your already believed weaknesses, but I hoped that there was some skilled reasoning behind it that I didn't know of at the time. With that said, as time has gone on and I've learned more and more, I've just determined that the Big 12 is inevitably in the "aren't good at this at all" category, which is pretty embarrassing. Who knows though? I'd say there is still about a 5% chance they may surprise me where publicly shown stupidity was really just hiding an elaborately skilled background plan. I'm not holding my breath though.
 
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KnappShack

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I see a lot of opinions, not necessarily a lot of information.

That's what this entire process has been. Anyone with a Twitter account is an "insider".

It makes complete sense for OU and the Cows to be in the Big 12 as long as the money is there. Moves to the SEC or PAC sound great to the fans, but from a travel, competition, and culture perspective they both are Big 12.

Texas and OU are good at finding the cash register. Here's hoping the cluster-f, Barney Fife stuff is just an act and we all come away stronger. Remember this is the conference that was within an hour of breaking up a few years back. Hopefully someone has an ace up their sleeve...again
 

TykeClone

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Texas and OU are good at finding the cash register. Here's hoping the cluster-f, Barney Fife stuff is just an act and we all come away stronger

I'm afraid that is not going to be the case. I think that while the Russians play chess and the Americans play poker, Texas and OU play chutes and ladders... and don't do it well.
 
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mdk2isu

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I'm afraid that is not going to be the case. I think that while the Russians play chess and the Americans play poker, Texas and OU play chutes and ladders... and don't do it well.

This sums them up pretty well:
Job0cVn.gif
 

HoopsTournament

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But, if true, isn't that a problem? When they went public with exploring expansion, my assumption was that they already had a game plan. Otherwise, why go public and expose the conference to more ridicule?

I initially assumed this "exploration" and ongoing deliberation was just an act, and it would quickly end with an announcement of the decision they had already made some time ago... after having years to consider options, having been advised by the consulting firm, etc, etc.

The longer this drags out, the harder it gets to wrap your head around the possible alternatives that are in play. And I'm definitely leaning more towards the possibility that this was all just a ruse to try to pressure the networks into ponying up to prevent bad additions.
How do you know they don't have a game plan? You are assuming they don't based on the words of someone not part of the plan.
 
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psychlone99

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How do you know they don't have a game plan? You are assuming they don't based on the words of someone not part of the plan.
I don't know anything. I suspect they lack a plan given the quality of the options available, the timeline, and the fact that most every time someone associated with the conference makes a statement about expansion they sound like a bumbling idiot.
 

acgclone

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How do you know they don't have a game plan? You are assuming they don't based on the words of someone not part of the plan.


I sure hope they have a gameplan bus history suggests they don't. I think the league, largely due to Texas, is too dysfunctional to actually have a sound plan.
 

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