beginning of the end

[Nacho]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... s-of-cash/

looks like ut will strike out on their own pretty soon.
could be good news for smu

[huskerpony]

Gotta be going independent. No way ESPN paid that much for basketball and left-over football inventory. And the Fox bid was 6 times less? Nice research ESPN.

What will Oklahoma do? Looks like Nebraska and Colorado made the right move.

[ponyboy]

They might start with getting televisions into a few Oklahoma homes.

[couch 'em]

UT indy
A&M and OU to SEC maybe OSU required as a package deal
TCU SMU Houston to Big 12

[Samurai Stang]

UT indy
A&M and OU to SEC maybe OSU required as a package deal
TCU SMU Houston to Big 12

Perhaps the Big East should not choose its expansion candidates so quickly, but should instead wait and see if Missouri and Kansas would join their ranks. That is, if the Big East remains attractive.

Also, if Texas, Oklahoma, and A&M were to leave the Big 12, it is more likely that the conference would expand by five to a total of twelve.

The SEC will not expand to 15. I would instead expect that they reach either 14 or 16. Florida State or Virginia Tech would be strong additions in the East. Such an assault on two fronts would result in the ACC and Big 12 poaching strong Big East programs. When combined with the imminent raid on the Big East to be carried out by the Big 10, the Big East is at the mercy of all others.

It is additionally important to remember that an independent Texas would require a home for basketball. I find it unlikely that the SEC would ever consent to allowing Texas partial membership, meaning that Texas will most likely remain a member in the Big 12 for all sports but football. The remaining Big 12 schools, as well as any future additions, will be in no position to reject such an opportunity.

[docabel]

You would have to think with all the influence Pickens still has in Oklahoma, that OSU would have to be included with OU.

[Charleston Pony]

why would Texas want or need to go Indy when they have conference mates willing to allow this deal? Isn't that what ultimately caused BYU to bail on the MWC (conference bylaws disallowing independent TV deals?)

let's face it...those programs that have fans actually interested in their games SHOULD benefit and not have to carry their conference mates. There is still enough revenue sharing to keep Baylor and others content with beating Texas once or twice out of every ten times they play.

[Stallion]

exactly Texas isn't going anywhere-this is what they've had planned all along and why they stayed in Big 12 which gave them the sweetheart deal allowing this independent Network. I actually think that independent negotiation of TV rights, as opposed to conference negotiation is what the Supreme Court athorized in OU, Georgia et al v. NCAA way back in the 1980s. The Supreme Court's recent NFL decision basically stated the same thing-each team is an independent entity which owns its own TV rights. As this evolves you could see TV Network might also negotiate individual games -since Army and Navy aren't in a conference they already do in that situation. BYU has shown their brand has value independent from the MWC brand. I think that is where this is evolving