WVU vs The Big East....getting ugly

[Mizzoulander]

Simple solution. Force Mizzourah to stay. The SEC has no legal standing as to harm done by them not coming in 2012. Tell Mizzourah and the SEC that if the current TV deals get voided they are on the hook for them. This is the same strategy that delayed A&M from announcing because of lawsuit threats from Baylor. If Mizzourah breaking their contract can be shown to cause the breakage of the TV deal, they can be held responsible. While we can't technically force mizzourah to stay, voided TV contracts are in a much different financial category than buyout clauses.

How do you "force" Missouri to stay? Blow up the bridges over the Mississippi?

Baylor's lawsuit did NOT have to do with scheduling; it had to do with the future existence of the Big 12. Once the Big 12 remained viable (with the Pac 12 shutting the door on OU, etc.) Ken Starr had no grounds for a suit.

The bylaws clearly spell out what you have to do to leave the Big 12...and don't mention ANYTHING about maintaining TV inventory. Plus, the Big 12 already granted Missouri permission to leave. It's not Missouri's responsibility to make sure the Big 12 and WVU get their **** in order with the Big East.

When it comes to conference realignment, you can bank on just one thing: NOBODY sees the inside of a courtroom.

Deals will be made - WVU will pay more to get out, or the TV networks will work out a deal with the Big 12 until WVU can get in. But the one thing that NOBODY wants is to have all of the inside dealings, plans, and conversations open to scrutiny by outsiders in a lawsuit.

We fans can flip around terms like "Sue 'em!" as if the competition of the playing field carried over to the courtroom. That's silly. The folks who run schools are collegial with each other...they all want to keep their jobs and make the boosters happy. They don't take legal action on a whim.

(all except WVU, anyway. How long before those guys sue the Big 12 for something?)

[brett108]

How do you "force" Missouri to stay? Blow up the bridges over the Mississippi?

Baylor's lawsuit did NOT have to do with scheduling; it had to do with the future existence of the Big 12. Once the Big 12 remained viable (with the Pac 12 shutting the door on OU, etc.) Ken Starr had no grounds for a suit.

The bylaws clearly spell out what you have to do to leave the Big 12...and don't mention ANYTHING about maintaining TV inventory. Plus, the Big 12 already granted Missouri permission to leave. It's not Missouri's responsibility to make sure the Big 12 and WVU get their **** in order with the Big East.

When it comes to conference realignment, you can bank on just one thing: NOBODY sees the inside of a courtroom.

Deals will be made - WVU will pay more to get out, or the TV networks will work out a deal with the Big 12 until WVU can get in. But the one thing that NOBODY wants is to have all of the inside dealings, plans, and conversations open to scrutiny by outsiders in a lawsuit.

We fans can flip around terms like "Sue 'em!" as if the competition of the playing field carried over to the courtroom. That's silly. The folks who run schools are collegial with each other...they all want to keep their jobs and make the boosters happy. They don't take legal action on a whim.

(all except WVU, anyway. How long before those guys sue the Big 12 for something?)

If WVU is not allowed to come, then the TV deal cannot be satisfied if Mizzou leaves. Therefore, I think it reasonable that the Big 12 make Mizzou make up the difference in their exit fees. You have no idea how this is going to play out. The Big 12 will not eat a TV loss and allow you to go. Bank on that. BTW, your exit fees have yet to be determined. If you can't pay what the Big 12 wants, you can stay another year.

[CyFan61]

I don't get how anyone can say "What if WVU isn't allowed to come?" or "What if WVU is forced to play in the Big East?" That is impossible, they will not be handcuffing the players and dragging them to Piscataway, Storrs, Tampa, and wherever else to play a Big East schedule. The question will be if WVU owes the Big East for a breach of contract when they ignore the Big East's schedule and play the Big 12's one instead.

P.S. Mizzoulander - LOL Mizzou (Attendance - Independence Bowl)

[Clonehomer]

Mizzoulander,
The Baylor lawsuit was based on the loss of money due to the elimination of TV contracts if the conference folded. This would be the same situation. Mizzourah leaving would void the current TV deal. If a team would lose money due to that contract voided, they would have grounds for a lawsuit. Whether it would be levity or just sabre rattling, who knows? But, I would expect that if WVU is unable to play in the Big12 next year, Mizzourah and aggie will not be given any settlements in their exit fees. All the Big12 has to do is just say if you don't like it we've got a spot for you in the schedule. That's a heck of a bargaining chip.

[Mizzoulander]

If WVU is not allowed to come, then the TV deal cannot be satisfied if Mizzou leaves. Therefore, I think it reasonable that the Big 12 make Mizzou make up the difference in their exit fees. You have no idea how this is going to play out. The Big 12 will not eat a TV loss and allow you to go. Bank on that. BTW, your exit fees have yet to be determined. If you can't pay what the Big 12 wants, you can stay another year.

It may be reasonable, but think about it from the Big 12's standpoint. You want a deal that best enhances your long-term stability and revenue potential. Your options are:

1. Work with the Big East to get WVU in next year no matter what (helping with the buyout, if necessary)

2. Negotiate with the TV networks for 1 year with less inventory and a return to status quo for WVU's entry in 2013 (either by "selling" them OOC games or a reduced fee)

3. Taking Missouri to court (they won't pay outside of legal action) to get whatever portion of the lost TV revenue you can

4. Keeping Missouri around for a lame-duck season in 2012: a weekly billboard highlighting Big 12 dysfunction

If you're a fan, of COURSE you want Mizzou around for a chance at conference-wide revenge. But if you're in charge of the Big 12, the LAST thing you want is to share revenue and spend marketing resources on a team that's leaving your conference. Twelve weeks of games where game announcers rehash the Big 12's instability to a national audience? No thank you.

The best chance to bring stability and long-term money is to work out a deal to get WVU as quickly as possible. Barring that, you go to your TV partners and work something out with 9 teams. Lawsuits and lame-ducks are great way to waste money without improving your conference.

I'd imagine that the Big 12 legal team is occupied with the WVU situation...I wouldn't expect exit fees to be worked out for another month or two.

[isuno1fan]

The latest from today. RI court will not dismiss case. This case is still moving forward in two states. BE claims they will not accept a monetary settlement NO MATTER WHAT. They are hell bent on keeping WVU in next year. If WVU gets out then it is believed Syracuse and Pitt will leave as well leaving only 5 BE FB teams for 2012. That would not work and is the reason the BE is REFUSING to settle this. Good read here:

WVU Loses Battle In Rhode Island Court - West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio

[Al_4_State]

The latest from today. RI court will not dismiss case. This case is still moving forward in two states. BE claims they will not accept a monetary settlement NO MATTER WHAT. They are hell bent on keeping WVU in next year. If WVU gets out then it is believed Syracuse and Pitt will leave as well leaving only 5 BE FB teams for 2012. That would not work and is the reason the BE is REFUSING to settle this. Good read here:

WVU Loses Battle In Rhode Island Court - West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio

The difference is that the ACC doesn't need Syracuse and Pitt next year for scheduling purpose, but the Big 12 needs West Virginia.

WVU's leaving next year has as much to do with the Big 12 needing a 10th team as it does their desire to leave the Big East.

[Wesley]

and both times in Norman.

And back to back weeks.

[Wesley]

How do you "force" Missouri to stay? Blow up the bridges over the Mississippi?

Baylor's lawsuit did NOT have to do with scheduling; it had to do with the future existence of the Big 12. Once the Big 12 remained viable (with the Pac 12 shutting the door on OU, etc.) Ken Starr had no grounds for a suit.

The bylaws clearly spell out what you have to do to leave the Big 12...and don't mention ANYTHING about maintaining TV inventory. Plus, the Big 12 already granted Missouri permission to leave. It's not Missouri's responsibility to make sure the Big 12 and WVU get their **** in order with the Big East.

When it comes to conference realignment, you can bank on just one thing: NOBODY sees the inside of a courtroom.

Deals will be made - WVU will pay more to get out, or the TV networks will work out a deal with the Big 12 until WVU can get in. But the one thing that NOBODY wants is to have all of the inside dealings, plans, and conversations open to scrutiny by outsiders in a lawsuit.

We fans can flip around terms like "Sue 'em!" as if the competition of the playing field carried over to the courtroom. That's silly. The folks who run schools are collegial with each other...they all want to keep their jobs and make the boosters happy. They don't take legal action on a whim.

(all except WVU, anyway. How long before those guys sue the Big 12 for something?)

We take you as prisoner. They must play or you will not be released. You will be keyholed in Austiin under the guard of Neinas.

This little court extravaganza again shows why the B12 needs to go to 12 teams.

[Mizzoulander]

We take you as prisoner. They must play or you will not be released. You will be keyholed in Austin under the guard of Neinas.

Ugh...talk about taking one for the team.

[Stormin]

Mizzoulander,
The Baylor lawsuit was based on the loss of money due to the elimination of TV contracts if the conference folded. This would be the same situation. Mizzourah leaving would void the current TV deal. If a team would lose money due to that contract voided, they would have grounds for a lawsuit. Whether it would be levity or just sabre rattling, who knows? But, I would expect that if WVU is unable to play in the Big12 next year, Mizzourah and aggie will not be given any settlements in their exit fees. All the Big12 has to do is just say if you don't like it we've got a spot for you in the schedule. That's a heck of a bargaining chip.

Mizzou will be on the hook if WVU is not allowed to join. Mizzou can leave. They just need to get out their checkbook and according to Mizzoulander the exit fees are irrelevant. So they will just make a check out for around $100 million or so and all will be well.

[cykadelic2]

Mizzou will be on the hook if WVU is not allowed to join. Mizzou can leave. They just need to get out their checkbook and according to Mizzoulander the exit fees are irrelevant. So they will just make a check out for around $100 million or so and all will be well.

The Walton Family have been primary facilitators of Mizzou's move to the SEC and I'm sure they can afford to help foot WVU's damages to the BE.

[Mizzoulander]

Originally Posted by Stormin (WVU vs The Big East....getting ugly)

Mizzou will be on the hook if WVU is not allowed to join. Mizzou can leave. They just need to get out their checkbook and according to Mizzoulander the exit fees are irrelevant. So they will just make a check out for around $100 million or so and all will be well.

The Walton Family have been primary facilitators of Mizzou's move to the SEC and I'm sure they can afford to help foot WVU's damages to the BE.

Although the Lauries and the Kroenkes have been major donors to Mizzou for a while, I haven't read anything that has tied them directly to the SEC move. Is there a source?

I really don't think Mizzou can or will be "on the hook" for anything more than the exit fees (no more than $23M, I last heard).

If what Deaton said is true, and he has proof that the Big 12 gave MU the OK to leave...how can they sue? WVU signed a 27-month agreement - Mizzou didn't. It's not Missouri's fault that the Big 12 banked on inviting a replacement team (WVU) that's not available for 2 years.

Missouri did everything the bylaws require to leave the Big 12. As much as your sense of justice requires Missouri to pay through the nose for disrespecting this honorable conference, it's just not going to happen. The Big 12 will either cut a deal with the Big East, or with the TV networks. If the Big 12 feels wronged, sue WVU for not being forthcoming about their league requirements for leaving.

Stormin...I have to confess. I'm REALLY looking forward to the day when the wire service story comes out that says that MU/TAMU are paying ~$15M in exit fees. When it does, I promise not to be TOO much of a jerk to you.

[Clonehomer]

So is there a link to show when the Big12 said Mizzourah could leave? I guess I remember it going something like Mizzourah saying they were going to leave and the Big12 said to follow the procedure. I don't see how that equals giving permission.

[RustShack]

Tulane is a sleeping giant. I hope to god the same people who think they can never be good also think there is no way ISU could ever have a brighter future than Iowa.