Texas/ESPN and KU talking to the Big East

[MissouriFan]

From Kirk Bohls, a columnist in Austin.

"If you’re asking why ESPN is close to finalizing a deal to link up with Texas as its broadcast partner for the new Longhorn television network for exorbitant figures perhaps approaching $15 million a year, it’s because the worldwide leader is hoping to use this platform as a way to leverage - with Texas’ help - a deal to acquire all of the Big 12’s television rights that will be negotiated next spring. And, yes, we all know Texas has clout. If the other nine members of the reconfigured Big 12 don’t go along, Texas hasn’t minded using its power before and could easily reopen talks with the Pac-12 or go independent. ESPN is positioning itself for the inside track with the Big 12 and squeezing out Fox. One very highly placed Big 12 school official told me this week the other nine schools are holding preliminary discussions about their own networks. To avoid Texas threatening to leave again, the opinion here is the Big 12 must be aggressive and try to strengthen itself against other assaults. That means looking to expand. It should go after Arkansas and LSU, Arizona and Arizona State, heck even Notre Dame. I keep hearing Kansas is talking to the Big East. Who would blame the Jayhawks for looking since they were nearly left out in the last realignment merry-go-round?"

Some interesting stuff in there if true.

Here's the link
Austin sports news and Longhorns | Statesman.com

[ItsCyence]

If things are going to go like they did this summer, I'm pretty sure JP will get us in the safest landing spot.

[gocubs2118]

Ah, I love being in the new "stable" Big XII.

[acgclone]

Yesterday, Bill Self said on 610am out of Kansas City, that it was a done deal that KU, K-State, Mizzou and ISU were headed to the Big East if UT went to the Pac 10. He said that all four schools decided to stay together.

I would imagine that there is still room there for the Big East to expand if the four schools were open to it.

[dualthreat]

The Big east with KU, KSU, and Mizzou would be sweeeeet

[UNIGuy4Cy]

Yesterday, Bill Self said on 610am out of Kansas City, that it was a done deal that KU, K-State, Mizzou and ISU were headed to the Big East if UT went to the Pac 10. He said that all four schools decided to stay together.

I would imagine that there is still room there for the Big East to expand if the four schools were open to it.

Heard this too, I hope that dip **** Giggles was listening to.

[CyBroncos]

The Big 12 has a bad TV deal...they have to be aggressive. Getting on ESPN would be awesome. I'm sick of every Saturday having average Big Ten and ACC games taking the 11 a.m. spots on ESPN and ESPN2. The Big Ten, ACC, SEC and Pac 10 all have ESPN slots during every Saturday, the Big 12 needs to get in on that

[gocubs2118]

The Big 12 has a bad TV deal...they have to be aggressive. Getting on ESPN would be awesome. I'm sick of every Saturday having average Big Ten and ACC games taking the 11 a.m. spots on ESPN and ESPN2. The Big Ten, ACC, SEC and Pac 10 all have ESPN slots during every Saturday, the Big 12 needs to get in on that

It would be sweet if the ESPN made a new channel just for the Big XII.

[Al_4_State]

First it was Chizik leaving, this spring it was the first round of expansion.

Something has to ALWAYS mess with finals.

But in all seriousness, wouldn't this deal get all of our rights into the ESPN family? That has to be a good thing for the other 9 members of the Big 12.

It would be sweet if the ESPN made a new channel just for the Big XII.

This sounds far more likely and plausible than disintegration. I don't see how this wouldn't be a huge boon for us.

[alarson]

Yesterday, Bill Self said on 610am out of Kansas City, that it was a done deal that KU, K-State, Mizzou and ISU were headed to the Big East if UT went to the Pac 10. He said that all four schools decided to stay together.

I would imagine that there is still room there for the Big East to expand if the four schools were open to it.

Bill Self said this? I think that pretty much confirms it if true.

[MNCyGuy]

So what do they mean by "other nine schools in preliminary discussions for their own networks"? Would this essentially mean that ESPN would have production rights to all of ISU's events under a "Cyclone Network" banner and then those games would be picked up by local networks? Sort of a return to the days of "ESPN-Plus"? That would be nice actually. Might actually mean all BBall on TV and better production values than MC22.

[UNIGuy4Cy]

Bill Self said this? I think that pretty much confirms it if true.

He also said this several months ago when it looked like the Big 12 was breaking up.

[MNCyGuy]

First it was Chizik leaving, this spring it was the first round of expansion.

Something has to ALWAYS mess with finals.

But in all seriousness, wouldn't this deal get all of our rights into the ESPN family? That has to be a good thing for the other 9 members of the Big 12.



This sounds far more likely and plausible than disintegration. I don't see how this wouldn't be a huge boon for us.

That's how I interpreted it. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal actually.

[MissouriFan]

The Big east with KU, KSU, and Mizzou would be sweeeeet

If they dump the basketball only schools it could be a pretty good all sports conference.

East
UConn
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
South Florida
Syracuse
Villanova
West Virginia

West
Cincinnati
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Louisville
Missouri
TCU

[MNCyGuy]

If they dump the basketball only schools it could be a pretty good all sports conference.

East
UConn
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
South Florida
Syracuse
Villanova
West Virginia

West
Cincinnati
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Louisville
Missouri
TCU

At that point you almost have to sell the "Big East" name rights to the Catholic schools and brand yourself something else, right?