COLUMN: What the Big 12 is banking on

boone7247

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Couple of things that come to mind when reading Chris article and listening to JP's interview.

It sounds like the ADs have been on board for 10 teams for quite awhile, all the drama was Boren opening his yap. For all the sky is falling that the media yelled, it sounds like the 10 ADs had plan, and stuck to it, and are much more tight nit than what is previously known.

UT and OU run this conference, we have known that for a while, but the fact that as many have said, their bread is best buttered here, as long as the payouts are similar. The B12 is safe.

In 8 years the separation between ISU (receiving $30+ million per year) and the Cincinnati's, Houston's and BYU's of the world (receiving in some cases only 10% of that), will be huge to ISU. It would basically eliminate any bottom competition from ISU. Houston isn't on a sustainable model, and will lose Herman soon. I don't see how in 5 or less years the separation between P5 and rest won't be basically insurmountable. That is good for ISU.

I believe cyclone.TV earned somewhere in the neighborhood of $3million last year. I would guess of that $3 million half was earned by football ($1.5m) the rest was earned mainly by men's basketball. So worst case scenario, when the TV contracts are renegotiated, the league could form a stand alone B12 network, all teams have their own .tv channels or networks already, it won't be as hard integrate them into a cohesive Network. So if ISU can make $3m from 1 non con football game and 10 or less non con basketball games, imagine what it would be worth with all games available via that platform or a conference platform that is similar.

I prefer that the Presidents listen to their ADs than the alternative. Now just get Boren out of OU and this conference might have a future. If expansion is needed in the future, the targets will still be their, and their will be more data about the football playoff, as well as the TV landscape. I am trusting the people that are in the positions to make these decisions, and that UT and OU understand they are better off together, and in the B12 than anywhere else. As long as we can keep the money close for them, they are better off here. It sounds like at least for 8 more years that will be true, her is hoping it holds true for a lot more years than that.

Also don't be surprised in in 4 years there are rumors of flirting between the B12 and P12 schools. That isn't a good situation, JP even alluded to that, don't be surprised if it is a wait and see what happens there decision that was made by the Presidents and the recommendation of the ADs.
 

SolarGarlic

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"Vetting potential schools" and "publicly declaring that expansion may be a very real possibility" are two different things. Particularly when you draw in lots of interest, even some very good schools given the situation, then just call it all off (and, you know in the future, they're jst going to act like this never even happened). It's not like the Big 12 just gave these schools a phone call or two about the ordeal, it was serious enough for schools to dedicate a lot of resources to it. Example, look at what UConn released today: http://uconn.edu/public-notification/big-12/

The Big 12 just wasted a lot of peoples' time, and have no gain to show from it at this point. Maybe they will in the future, I'm not sure. Looking it at now, I just don't see how they make it out of this better than where it started at.

I can understand those who think staying pat was the wrong move, but I don't understand the "wasted time" argument. Iowa State is in the Big 12. The Big 12 has the power. Who freakin' cares if a bunch of administrators at Central Florida wasted their time? They had plenty to gain and didn't get it done. Shucks. Their loss of time and money has no effect on the Big 12. The Big 12's potential "gain" has nothing to do with those schools' loss.
 

KnappShack

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Well .... that's the point, Boren couldn't keep his mouth shut and comedy hour ensued.

Boren killed the perception of the league. Just shot a torpedo into the side and watched it sink.

This league should be united in its message. Killing the brand doesn't help recruiting. It doesn't set us up well for the next contract season.

I still believe it was a money grab gambit, but there's a cost and repairs are needed.

One True Champion....right?
 
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volclone

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If Texas and OU came to the lesser schools and told us we;d be getting a smaller cut, we would do it in a heartbeat simply because the alternative is unthinkable. We don't have to be full partners in the conference with OU and Texas but we need to carve out our niche and feed off that. If our niche is Texas and OU's red-headed step-child we should gladly embrace that role and make hay.

Wow. So if a person came to your house, took all your money, ate all your food and set your house on fire on the way out the front door, you would stand on the lawn chatting with them while you watched your house burn to the ground?
 
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KnappShack

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Couple of things that come to mind when reading Chris article and listening to JP's interview.

It sounds like the ADs have been on board for 10 teams for quite awhile, all the drama was Boren opening his yap. For all the sky is falling that the media yelled, it sounds like the 10 ADs had plan, and stuck to it, and are much more tight nit than what is previously known.

UT and OU run this conference, we have known that for a while, but the fact that as many have said, their bread is best buttered here, as long as the payouts are similar. The B12 is safe.

In 8 years the separation between ISU (receiving $30+ million per year) and the Cincinnati's, Houston's and BYU's of the world (receiving in some cases only 10% of that), will be huge to ISU. It would basically eliminate any bottom competition from ISU. Houston isn't on a sustainable model, and will lose Herman soon. I don't see how in 5 or less years the separation between P5 and rest won't be basically insurmountable. That is good for ISU.

I believe cyclone.TV earned somewhere in the neighborhood of $3million last year. I would guess of that $3 million half was earned by football ($1.5m) the rest was earned mainly by men's basketball. So worst case scenario, when the TV contracts are renegotiated, the league could form a stand alone B12 network, all teams have their own .tv channels or networks already, it won't be as hard integrate them into a cohesive Network. So if ISU can make $3m from 1 non con football game and 10 or less non con basketball games, imagine what it would be worth with all games available via that platform or a conference platform that is similar.

I prefer that the Presidents listen to their ADs than the alternative. Now just get Boren out of OU and this conference might have a future. If expansion is needed in the future, the targets will still be their, and their will be more data about the football playoff, as well as the TV landscape. I am trusting the people that are in the positions to make these decisions, and that UT and OU understand they are better off together, and in the B12 than anywhere else. As long as we can keep the money close for them, they are better off here. It sounds like at least for 8 more years that will be true, her is hoping it holds true for a lot more years than that.

Also don't be surprised in in 4 years there are rumors of flirting between the B12 and P12 schools. That isn't a good situation, JP even alluded to that, don't be surprised if it is a wait and see what happens there decision that was made by the Presidents and the recommendation of the ADs.

Is there a rule against the PAC and Big 12 negotiating their tier 1&2 rights collectively and leaving the tier 3 rights to the schools?

Point being USC, UCLA, the Cows, and OU can leverage that to earn the larger check.

Expand the Big 12 model while collectively bargaining a higher 1&2 paycheck for all?
 
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ISUalum2012

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They're not allowed to vet potential schools?

The Big 12 didn't say they were definitely expanding. They said they would explore expansion. Big difference. The only people making a stink about this are media outlets that covered it breathlessly without a payoff at the end and ESPN and Fox affiliates that have reason to rail against the Big 12 expansion. That's not the Big 12's fault, the Big 12 said it would explore expansion. Never said it was a done deal.

This is basically what I've said to everyone who has made fun of the Big 12. The Big 12 was in a bad situation because of Boren, so Bowlsby felt forced to play this out publicly. But it needs to be made clear, the Big 12 did nothing wrong by soliciting information from interested institutions. No one said an institution had to prepare all that stuff, they decided themselves the chances of getting in was worth the work required to pitch their worth. Most of those schools knew even if expansion happened they weren't likely to be selected.

Analogy: Potential employees spend countless hours preparing their resumes and preparing for interviews, but it is always the employers prerogative to pull the open requisition and not hire anyone. They didn't waste anyone's time. They did their diligence and decided the req was better left unfilled.

Anyone saying the Big 12 wasted people's time is click-baiting or salty their opinion wasn't fulfilled.
 

NickTheGreat

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I'm okay with the Big12 staying with what they have. . . but they have a huge PR issue. It's almost like they are trying to be as bad in the media arena as possible.
 

yowza

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Dominoes (not the pizza) will fall prior to Big Ten tv renewal in the 2020s. Someone from Big 12 will join. Would be 2 teams. Keep hearing Texas, Texas Tech to Pac 12, Okie and Okie State to SEC and Texas and Kansas to Big 10. If you look at what most would say how it would split that is likely it. So Jamie has 6 years or so to figure out how to get ISU out. Play the game of survivor and get out of this thing. Sitting around in an iffy situation is not what should be done. If he does and the cards fall then everyone will scream why wasn't he doing something to improve the situation. I guarantee you every other school besides Okie and Texas are working this now. Okie State is probably protected by Okie and maybe Texas Tech protected by Texas. But the rest this has to be at the top of the list as far as getting plan Bs and Cs in place. Guarantee you this will continue to be used against those schools in football recruiting. The closer the time to early 2020s with no GOR extension the louder it will get. Just the reality.
 

Trainer

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Why is no one talking about the playoff expanding? If it expands to 6 or 8 teams, with guaranteed spots for power 5 conferences, this all goes away. We are what in year 3 of the tournament?

For everyone saying TX and OU want out, what makes you think that? If they leave they certainly won't have a easier route to the tournament. They won't be making a lot more money, especially when you figure in the amount they will lose in tier 3 rights.
 

HARMCYN

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Dominoes (not the pizza) will fall prior to Big Ten tv renewal in the 2020s. Someone from Big 12 will join. Would be 2 teams. Keep hearing Texas, Texas Tech to Pac 12, Okie and Okie State to SEC and Texas and Kansas to Big 10. If you look at what most would say how it would split that is likely it. So Jamie has 6 years or so to figure out how to get ISU out. Play the game of survivor and get out of this thing. Sitting around in an iffy situation is not what should be done. If he does and the cards fall then everyone will scream why wasn't he doing something to improve the situation. I guarantee you every other school besides Okie and Texas are working this now. Okie State is probably protected by Okie and maybe Texas Tech protected by Texas. But the rest this has to be at the top of the list as far as getting plan Bs and Cs in place. Guarantee you this will continue to be used against those schools in football recruiting. The closer the time to early 2020s with no GOR extension the louder it will get. Just the reality.


Texas is big enough to join 2 conferences just to keep ISU out!
 

jbhtexas

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I can understand those who think staying pat was the wrong move, but I don't understand the "wasted time" argument. Iowa State is in the Big 12. The Big 12 has the power. Who freakin' cares if a bunch of administrators at Central Florida wasted their time? They had plenty to gain and didn't get it done. Shucks. Their loss of time and money has no effect on the Big 12. The Big 12's potential "gain" has nothing to do with those schools' loss.

How much time and money was wasted by the Big 12 presidents and Big 12 office personnel going over all of these candidates' presentations?
 

SpokaneCY

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B12 could and should have explored their options through back channels without the public dog and pony show.

If the gamble is to anticipate changes in media technology and position the conference to be out in front of those changes ... the current B12 leadership is the last group I would hire. I'm not sure these guys could remodel a bathroom, much less see the future of sports TV.

An aging okie retired politician does not scream "cutting edge media".
 

JohnnyFive

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How much time and money was wasted by the Big 12 presidents and Big 12 office personnel going over all of these candidates' presentations?

Time? Maybe quite a few hours. Money? Chump change compared to what they stand to get from Fox/ESPN for not expanding, or from Fox/ESPN pro-rata deal if they had expanded. But now they also have a familiarity with 11 potential schools down the road, they also know 15-20 schools would have interest if offered down the road, and they know what is available should they decide to expand. So yes there's value to this. Some people aren't as shortsighted as the columnists filling space with all these anti-Big 12 articles today.
 

jbhtexas

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Time? Maybe quite a few hours. Money? Chump change compared to what they stand to get from Fox/ESPN for not expanding, or from Fox/ESPN pro-rata deal if they had expanded. But now they also have a familiarity with 11 potential schools down the road, they also know 15-20 schools would have interest if offered down the road, and they know what is available should they decide to expand. So yes there's value to this. Some people aren't as shortsighted as the columnists filling space with all these anti-Big 12 articles today.

The Big 12 already had this information prior to the public circus. They hired a consultant to research expansion before Boren went on his public tirades. That info likely helped the Big 12 AD's come to the conclusion quite some time ago that expansion was not feasible. Boren bullied the presidents into an unnecessary public search process. I think this was pretty much confirmed by Pollard's radio interview today.
 

isu83

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Dominoes (not the pizza) will fall prior to Big Ten tv renewal in the 2020s. Someone from Big 12 will join. Would be 2 teams. Keep hearing Texas, Texas Tech to Pac 12, Okie and Okie State to SEC and Texas and Kansas to Big 10. If you look at what most would say how it would split that is likely it. So Jamie has 6 years or so to figure out how to get ISU out. Play the game of survivor and get out of this thing. Sitting around in an iffy situation is not what should be done. If he does and the cards fall then everyone will scream why wasn't he doing something to improve the situation. I guarantee you every other school besides Okie and Texas are working this now. Okie State is probably protected by Okie and maybe Texas Tech protected by Texas. But the rest this has to be at the top of the list as far as getting plan Bs and Cs in place. Guarantee you this will continue to be used against those schools in football recruiting. The closer the time to early 2020s with no GOR extension the louder it will get. Just the reality.
Yeah Texas is going to split up. Lol.
 

yowza

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Texas is big enough to join 2 conferences just to keep ISU out!

Should have worded a little differently. They either having Texas going to Big 10 or Pac 12 as they nearly did in 2010. Oklahoma seems to be a unanimous to SEC.

How lucky does Missouri feel???
 

yowza

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Yeah Texas is going to split up. Lol.

Should have worded a little differently. They either having Texas going to Big 10 or Pac 12 as they nearly did in 2010. Oklahoma seems to be a unanimous to SEC.

How lucky does Missouri feel???
 

yowza

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Someone brought up the point of what if playoffs expanded to 8 teams. If they expand it would only be to 8 teams and would not be until 2026 as it is locked at 4 until then. Not sure how this impacts what likely would happen, but might open up one playoff slot to a non big 4 conference team. Hard to tell once the conferences consolidate to 4 - 16 team mega conferences. Big Ten and Pac 12 media rights are opened back up before 2026 and you know those conferences will be fishing for big fish before then.