Report: OU & Texas reach out to join SEC
- Thread starter BigJCy
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I am convinced this is exactly what is happening. Based in Dabo's offhand comments the last few weeks, I am sure Clemson was approached by the SEC. Especially, if you believe reports that the SEC approached OSU and Michigan.
In the end, there is a sweet spot for Fox and ESPN of elite teams they really feel add value through ratings. I don't know if that is 10 or 20 teams. Obviously, in the Big12, ESPN feels that is only Texas and OU.
Once the networks get their elite teams aligned, then the SEC and Big10 can add teams like Iowa State, Kansas, Ga Tech, etc.
I also agree there could be some subtraction in conferences like the Big10 and SEC. I don't think a lot, but a private school like Vandy might view the new SEC as above where they want to compete and search out G5 landing spot.
I don't think academics are much of a consideration for the SEC, but I think it will be for the Big10. Who knows, maybe Texas leaked this whole deal to see if the Big10 would make them an offer.
Great audition for the job at ESPN! You'll get hired, no sweat.
Not sure if already posted, but article confirming OU and Texas are leaving.
www.espn.com
What's so frustrating is the below from the above article.
"The Big 12 executive committee met with the presidents of Texas and Oklahoma on Sunday, and sources have told ESPN they are still trying to understand exactly what Oklahoma and Texas are looking for."
Texas, OU not renewing Big 12 media rights
Texas and Oklahoma notified the Big 12 on Monday that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025.
www.espn.com
What's so frustrating is the below from the above article.
"The Big 12 executive committee met with the presidents of Texas and Oklahoma on Sunday, and sources have told ESPN they are still trying to understand exactly what Oklahoma and Texas are looking for."
If the "Big 8" stick together and expand its suicide for everyone involved.
If the only other feasible option is dropping down to the American, could you blame us? B1G and PAC don’t have to expand at all if they don’t think we add value. This is best remaining option at that point. It’s a terrible option but it’s the best one of a bunch of terrible ones.
Nah, that’s too easy. If anything, make him work, stress and sweat this one out like the rest of us. Firing him takes him off the hook for the mess created under his $4M/yr leadership. He’s already got one foot towards retirement anyway, why give him a severance now? Make him go sell new schools to the “new” Big 12 that none of the existing schools have any intention to be part of (except maybe Baylor).
Expanding back would essentially be dropping to the American. Not a chance the Big 12 stays P5. Iowa State has to move but I don't know if its possible
So with this official announcement of UT and OU moving to the SEC, war has been declared between Fox Sports and ESPN.
Lets look at the players, on the ESPN side is the beast, SEC and the up and coming ACC, which also brings 5 ND games to be broadcast.
On the other side of the table for FOX is the Big 10 and BTN and last but not least Pac 12.
We can forget about the Big 12, they are now a dead man walking, hello death or the same thing G4 standing.
We know what ESPN is going to do, they are doing it now, but what about Fox. To me they have two choice, either try and get the Pac 12 and Big 10 to merge, by taking the best schools from the Pac 12, but by doing so, they also reduce the remaining schools to G4 standing.
Or the strongest position for Fox, tell the Big 10 to expand and expand now, then approach the Pac 12 and offer to purchase half of the Pac 12 network, with the backing of Fox that would get them on Direct and Dish TV, then tell them to pick over the rest of the Big 12 and go to a 16 conference.
With that last move, Fox now has an interest in both BTN and the PAC network, two strong league to take on one SEC and the ability to broadcast games every Saturday from 11:00 AM till Midnight. You wake up the breakfast with the BTN and go to bed with games from the Pac 12.
The remaining schools get folded into the AAC or the ACC if they want them, but you really do not care.
Its going to be an interesting week.
Lets look at the players, on the ESPN side is the beast, SEC and the up and coming ACC, which also brings 5 ND games to be broadcast.
On the other side of the table for FOX is the Big 10 and BTN and last but not least Pac 12.
We can forget about the Big 12, they are now a dead man walking, hello death or the same thing G4 standing.
We know what ESPN is going to do, they are doing it now, but what about Fox. To me they have two choice, either try and get the Pac 12 and Big 10 to merge, by taking the best schools from the Pac 12, but by doing so, they also reduce the remaining schools to G4 standing.
Or the strongest position for Fox, tell the Big 10 to expand and expand now, then approach the Pac 12 and offer to purchase half of the Pac 12 network, with the backing of Fox that would get them on Direct and Dish TV, then tell them to pick over the rest of the Big 12 and go to a 16 conference.
With that last move, Fox now has an interest in both BTN and the PAC network, two strong league to take on one SEC and the ability to broadcast games every Saturday from 11:00 AM till Midnight. You wake up the breakfast with the BTN and go to bed with games from the Pac 12.
The remaining schools get folded into the AAC or the ACC if they want them, but you really do not care.
Its going to be an interesting week.
At this point conferences are dumb for football. Seem to be trying to wedge something into a model that just seems to be irrelevant. SEC and B10 probably want the look of the traditional conference but the money from something completely different.
At least it stays P5 through 2025…and it might make $3-5M more annually than the AAC.
But how is Clemson any different than OU or Texas. Is Clemson going to be satisfied making $40-50M a year, when they could be making $90-100M in the SEC or Big10?
Just like the Big12 with OU and Texas, ESPN's deal with the ACC conference is predicated on having Clemson, FL State and UNC as part of the ACC Network. Wake Forest, Duke, Louisville, Boston College can say they have a GOR through 2036- but my guess is ESPN will say the ACC Network contract has materially changed and will want to re-negotiate downward
These moves have to finally be what gets Notre Dame to join a conference.
