CBS: Gundy: UT network a 'failure,' elimination key to B12

[dcpony]

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Texas needs to eliminate the Longhorn Network in order for the Big 12 to avoid facing increased instability, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told CBS Sports on Monday.

Gundy's comment was made as he said the league overall needs to market itself better. The conference, he said, is at a disadvantage because of the widespread distribution and success of the SEC Network and Big Ten Network.

Eliminating LHN, which he called a “failure,” and creating a conference-wide Big 12 Network would give the league more national exposure, Gundy added.

“If we don't eliminate the Longhorn Network and create our own network, they're going to continue to have issues with this league,” Gundy said as the Cowboys returned from spring break to continue spring practice.

He continued: “You don't have a Big 12 Network; you have a network within the league that people consider a failure.”

LHN's struggles are well-documented. The school-centric network reportedly has lost $48 million since its launch in 2011. Its annual losses are now in the single-digit millions, according to a source. Both ESPN and Texas seem committed to the 20-year, $295 million agreement that would pay the school an average of $15 million per year.

“Everything is based on marketing,” Gundy said. “Right now the Big 12 is not getting the marketing we need because of the Longhorn Network.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... eliminated

[smupony94]

Who cares what Okie Light thinks

[leopold]

Who cares what Okie Light thinks

Somebody better.

He's made a number of good points and in order for the Big XII to survive somebody has got to get Texas on board, AND YES THIS DOES IMPACT SMU.

[gostangs]

You might not care about his opinion, but he is right. Until the Big 12 makes it the Big 12 network instead of the Longhorn Network, then they will not reach their potential.

[orguy]

OkieLite? program that almost made it to the national title game 4 or 5 years ago? such lightweights.

[footballdad]

Who cares what Okie Light thinks

Somebody better.

He's made a number of good points and in order for the Big XII to survive somebody has got to get Texas on board, AND YES THIS DOES IMPACT SMU.

riiiiiiight.

[Digetydog]

Who cares what Okie Light thinks

Texas doesn't.

What Gundy doesn't recognize is that the Longhorns (under Dodds) had the foresight to improve their revenue stream by creating the LHN with ESPN. OSU and OU might not like it, but the LHN has been a huge success from the perspective of UT's pocketbook. Essentially, OU wants UT to agree to subsidize the other B12 schools by "sharing" a revenue stream that only has value because of UT's participation.

With the exception of OU, how many current B12 schools would have any chance of making as much money as they do now by joining another conference?

[ponyinNC]

maybe Kansas if they join the B1G, but schools like TCU, ISU, Baylor, TT would be lost at sea...

[Digetydog]

maybe Kansas if they join the B1G, but schools like TCU, ISU, Baylor, TT would be lost at sea...

If the B12 lost UT, I figure that the following schools would likely find a home in a P4 conference:
1) UT - Yes
2) OU - Yes
3) WVU - Maybe - ACC or SEC
4) OSU - only if they can tie themselves to OU as a package deal
5) Kansas - Probably - B10
6) K-State - No shot
7) Tech - No Shot (unless they somehow tie themselves to UT) (Frankly, I think Cougar High has a better shot than Tech)
8.) ISU - No Shot
9) TCU and Baylor - Hello AAC

If Texas leaves the B12, I would expect the B12 and AAC to figure out a way to merge (possibly ejecting Tulane and Tulsa) with the B12 teams + SMU & UH as the Western Division.

[leopold]

Who cares what Okie Light thinks

Texas doesn't.

What Gundy doesn't recognize is that the Longhorns (under Dodds) had the foresight to improve their revenue stream by creating the LHN with ESPN. OSU and OU might not like it, but the LHN has been a huge success from the perspective of UT's pocketbook. Essentially, OU wants UT to agree to subsidize the other B12 schools by "sharing" a revenue stream that only has value because of UT's participation.

Gundy understands all of that fine. He knows perfectly well what UT has accomplished and the benefits of it.

But he also knows the pitfalls of UT's strategy. The LHN has both blocked the Big XII's chances of building a network and blocked UT's chances of moving to where everybody knows they want to go, the PAC 12.

The situation right now is fine for UT as long as nobody either has a way out or chooses to stay in the Big XII. But if, for whatever reason, Boren is no longer the president at OU and the new president finds a way out for OU, with or without OSU, then UT could find themselves in real trouble: In the short term they are in a conference with no real future with the SEC moving in on state of Texas and in the long terms stuck in a dying conference with NO real in-conference rivals. These would NOT be good options for UT.

[gostangs]

That, plus the LHN is a very very bad deal for ESPN, and that will eventually be fixed. And then the reason to be piggy will look less smart.

[footballdad]

Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

[peruna81]

UT cares about UT.

Gundy bringing up the point that Texas doesn't have a view past Forty Acres is like dropping a turkey from a helicopter..."As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly".

Nope, and there is no reason to think they (Texas, or turkeys) have any inclination to want to.

[Digetydog]

[quote="leopold"]

But he also knows the pitfalls of UT's strategy. The LHN has both blocked the Big XII's chances of building a network and blocked UT's chances of moving to where everybody knows they want to go, the PAC 12.

[quote]

Currently, UT has a choice: P12/B10/SEC (but no LHN) or B12 (with LHN). If they really wanted to move to any conference, they would drop the LHN and make the move. Since that hasn't happened, the current system (B12 w/LHN) is their preferred place in the world.

If OU (and OSU) are successful in forcing them to give up the LHN, UT might decide that the B12 (sans LHN) isn't in their best interest.
- Without the LHN, they would have their pick of the B10, P12, or SEC.
- If Texas insisted on keeping the LHN, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the ACC would be willing to offer them a similar deal to ND's.

[TidePony]

I don't think UT-Austin has much of a chance at joining the SEC - that shipped sailed. Joining the SEC would be admitting failure. Plus, they would not like the fact that they would have zero clout compared to Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Bama and even Kentucky (BB) - they are viewed as mediocre now. OU would have a better shot.