best not to feed them. I shouldn’t have but couldn’t resist. He’s one weird dude.
Big 12 Expansion (new thread)
- Thread starter Gilbyone
- Start date
That is a ton of money to pay out for an extra 2 years. Not just the $140mil the payout has been suggested but also paying those teams the SEC money they just agreed on. The math comes out to close over 300mil for just a couple extra seasons, that is a lot when the teams will just be coming your way anyways. But it certainly could happen.
I think the more important question is: why didn't he just re-register like the countless other banned posters? Regardless whether you agreed with him or not, his quick jabs made for quick reading and better counter jabs.
The payouts would be better without the three Eastern Time Zone schools and Houston and ISU would be in geographically contiguous conference (if you ignore the 50 mile gap between SW Iowa and NE Kansas).
All articles I've read indicate that all parties involved (ESPN, Oklahoma, Texas) had all their chips in on the Big 12 imploding after the schools said they were leaving, which would mean they would be able to leave earlier than later and at minimal cost if everything went as planned. On ESPN's part, they even had a master plan to catalyze the crumble of our conference. In the end, their big gamble didn't pay off, which leaves them in a tough spot, especially trying to negotiate against a conference with vengeance on their breath. Different articles have hinted Texas seems to have the money and wants to go earlier than later and is willing to negotiate, but Oklahoma's much tighter finances just aren't allowing them to do so. It's also hard for one to go earlier without the other. Therefore, my reading of the tea leaves indicates that both Texas and Oklahoma are here either the full length or nearly the full length of our current deal. Oklahoma just can't afford not to. Not everyone has the stupid money Texas does.
Last edited:
OU and Texas are in the Big 12 til 2025 unless ESPN agrees to make Fox whole. ESPN may want those two schools in the SEC, but Fox has no SEC rights. If ESPN had all the Big 12 rights it would be a whole lot cleaner to do so, but what incentive does Fox have to agree to let them out short of a big check from ESPN?
Aka don’t give the two mega conferences more chances for at-large bids determined by a committee dominated by self-interests.
SEC would look pretty dumb if we decided on a 6-team, auto-bid format (P5 and a G6). Even an 8-team would likely diminish the returns they had anticipated with these moves.
Would love to see how OU and UT feel when they’re not even close to sniffing a bid for the next 10 years.
two observations. Wonder what it would be if the Big 10 didn't have Maryland or Rutgers. Even without OU and UT, they still have us going up $8 million in 2026 and remain very comparable to the Pac 12 and ACC. That surprises me.
It’s unclear if that includes third tier rights or not. Usually the case has been that these analyses include third tier rights for other conferences because it’s all included i their contract, but the Big 12 never does since the schools own that directly.
It doesn’t include tier 3. So yea, Big 12 is still likely 3rd according to this projections. Not surprising when you have 12 schools fully committed to football so you’re going to get ranked teams every year.
B12 will be just fine. It’s not really the B12 anymore as there’s only 4 B8 and 6 of the original B12 schools left, but it works. We will have good coaches and good facilities. We may lack in ability to pay some of the top players, but there’s a lot of good players out there and not all of them can fit on an SEC or B1G roster. There’s also a limited number of those schools as far as coaching jobs. There will always be an opening for elite programs outside those leagues because as they all beat up on each other, there will be programs in the other conferences getting a bunch more wins, TV exposure, ranked in the polls, etc.
I think we’re reaching a saturation point where the difference in money at the P5 level doesn’t make as much of a difference anymore. When you’re comparing mega-millions to mega-millions, and limited spots at the more mega-millions, what’s the difference? This is much different than when schools like ISU still were relying on state funding for athletics. Is Alabama going to build a brand new retractable roof stadium every year, customized for that specific team and season ticket holders? Every seat gets a TV, mini fridge, built-in AC, and its own bathroom. Will Notre Dame buy the city of South Bend and rename it Irishville? Maybe Texas will finally get its dream of not just one TV channel, but even Longhorn Network 8, The Ocho? You’re going to have to get ridiculous to find ways to spend all the money. Keep hiring coaches like CMC and TJ and we will be fine.
I think we’re reaching a saturation point where the difference in money at the P5 level doesn’t make as much of a difference anymore. When you’re comparing mega-millions to mega-millions, and limited spots at the more mega-millions, what’s the difference? This is much different than when schools like ISU still were relying on state funding for athletics. Is Alabama going to build a brand new retractable roof stadium every year, customized for that specific team and season ticket holders? Every seat gets a TV, mini fridge, built-in AC, and its own bathroom. Will Notre Dame buy the city of South Bend and rename it Irishville? Maybe Texas will finally get its dream of not just one TV channel, but even Longhorn Network 8, The Ocho? You’re going to have to get ridiculous to find ways to spend all the money. Keep hiring coaches like CMC and TJ and we will be fine.
There's a law of diminishing returns, yes. But there are still advantages to cash. The bigger threat is probably brand awareness. If the SEC and B1G start taking up 90% of the media attention, instead of just 60%, it would be even worse. That's where the second-tier conferences turn into 1-AA and no one cares anymore.
The B12 won't be if the P12 moves their FB inventory off of PACN and either sell it or decommission it.
Both the P12 and R7 (minus WV) would benefit by the P12 expanding with the R7+BYU for two 10 team conferences or divisions.
We've done more with less in Ames for some time now.
I still say the Big 12 puts a Skull and Crossbones on their conference flag and go full heel.
Give the finger to the B1G and the SEC and be the bad boys of college athletics.
It's all about marketing
