Article: MW merger w/ remaining B12 plus UH or SMU

[SMU89]

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/1 ... ve-big-12/

As posted earlier:
They (MWC/TCU) want kans and mizz, but might get the heisman and be on the outside hoping to be part of what kans and friends puts together with baylor lobbying to keep tcu out

Which one is true - both?
Early Saturday Morning reports had TCU lobbying to keep BU out
Late Saturday Afternoon reports had TCU not lobbying to keep BU out

Truely a fluid situation - movement wise and down the leg

“That has some merit because it would allow the remaining Big 12 schools to protect things like their NCAA Tournament basketball shares and the automatic qualifying bid to the BCS,” the source said. “If that’s how this goes down, I know that both sides are going to be very sensitive to how that part’s handled so that it doesn’t jeopardize the BCS bid or any of the basketball shares that those schools have earned.”

That alone, along with the other advantages that would come with the Big 12’s leftovers sticking together, such as geography, friendly time zones and tradition, could be enough to make the offer appealing to those schools that remain. One other potential benefit of staying with the league and adding the MWC schools would be the fact that the Big 12 — whatever it would be called from here on out — would be around to collect the departure penalty payouts from the schools that leave.

A source confirmed to the Journal-World reports that officials from KU, K-State, Missouri, Iowa State and Baylor met via teleconference on Saturday to discuss the possibility of remaining with the Big 12 via merging with the Mountain West. The athletic directors may meet Monday to ask questions of TV officials about possible contracts and what they would be worth for such a league.

Although the losses of Texas and Oklahoma would be tough to stomach, taking on the Mountain West schools could actually expand the markets the Big 12 reaches, especially if the Big 12’s five and the MWC’s 10 went after Houston or SMU, as the source indicated they would, as the 16th team in the revamped Big 12.

[planoponyfan]

As crazy as this option seemed to me this morning, it now seems to have more merit to it the more I read about it. I do offer one question though: would the MWC want SMU over UH? If they had UH, it would give them someone in the Houston market. Adding SMU only strengthens their situation in the DFW market since they already have TCU.

[SMU89]

It's about the $$$$ and Kansas and friends (K&F) are driving the bus

K&F meeting w/ TV officials Monday will dictate the teams and the TV guys will look at ALL available markets in CUSA, MWC, etc. Weaker teams/markets will be left behind.


Why would K&F/TV officials limit their selection by taking an entire MWC?

If the MWC in total was all that, they would be driving the bus.

If K&F asked 4 teams from the MWC to join, would those 4 say not unless you invite the other MWC teams?


Does anyone think that Texas might look at this as more competition in the state and therefore reconsider? Suddenly, there are at least three BCS teams in the state which were most likely unexpected.

[Samurai Stang]

I do offer one question though: would the MWC want SMU over UH?

In all likelihood, no. However, given that A&M is now being reported to be going to the SEC, resulting in Utah going to the Pac-10, the math works out in such a way that both SMU and Houston would be taken.

9 - MWC (Utah appears to be leaving for the Pac-10)
+5 - Big 12 (Assuming predicted schools remain orphaned)
+2 - SMU and Houston
=16

[ponyscott]

I do offer one question though: would the MWC want SMU over UH?

In all likelihood, no. However, given that A&M is now being reported to be going to the SEC, resulting in Utah going to the Pac-10, the math works out in such a way that both SMU and Houston would be taken.

9 - MWC (Utah appears to be leaving for the Pac-10)
+5 - Big 12 (Assuming predicted schools remain orphaned)
+2 - SMU and Houston
=16

I would really love to see that scenario and hope that our AD and President are on top of such a fit for SMU. I would think that Tulsa is fighting for a fit like this as well. This is all so taxing for all and would imagine all the players are wearing themselves out every day as the long term implications are obviously huge.
We are such a tail that wags the dog, so just hope we have some favors owed and powerful guys making noise behind the scenes. I know that we have mucho commited $ in the wings to assist in a move, but will that be enough and/or does that even make a difference long term? The fact that UPS is reportedly offering $10 million a year for Memphis to be including in a BCS Conference will be interesting to follow as Memphis champions its cause.

[max the wonder dog]

I do offer one question though: would the MWC want SMU over UH?

In all likelihood, no. However, given that A&M is now being reported to be going to the SEC, resulting in Utah going to the Pac-10, the math works out in such a way that both SMU and Houston would be taken.

9 - MWC (Utah appears to be leaving for the Pac-10)
+5 - Big 12 (Assuming predicted schools remain orphaned)
+2 - SMU and Houston
=16

I would really love to see that scenario and hope that our AD and President are on top of such a fit for SMU. I would think that Tulsa is fighting for a fit like this as well. This is all so taxing for all and would imagine all the players are wearing themselves out every day as the long term implications are obviously huge.
We are such a tail that wags the dog, so just hope we have some favors owed and powerful guys making noise behind the scenes. I know that we have mucho commited $ in the wings to assist in a move, but will that be enough and/or does that even make a difference long term? The fact that UPS is reportedly offering $10 million a year for Memphis to be including in a BCS Conference will be interesting to follow as Memphis champions its cause.

Actually, Memphis-based UPS archrival FedEx is offering $10 million per year to get Memphis in a BCS conference. FedEx also has some influence with its huge sports marketing budget -- the FedEx Cup in the PGA, the FedEx Orange Bowl, Redskins' FedEx Field, not to mention FedEx Forum, home of the Memphis Tigers. The later adds some financial justification to the offer -- more high profile televised games at the Forum. Perhaps as important or more so, FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith's son just transferred from Miami to play quarterback for the Tigers and a large % of senior FedEx executives are Memphis alumni

[EastStang]

$10 Million is chump change our circle of friends blow that much on coaches.

[westexSMU]

It just doesn't make any sense for the Big 12 leftovers to merge with the whole MWC. I mean the MWC have some weak football programs with poor booster financial support/media markets. And to me, Baylor just doesn't offer a good media market and the WACO area produces some quality D1 players, but the Dallas/Ft. Worth teams (SMU)and Houston teams would make a lot more sense than Baylor as for as media markets and recruiting grounds.

[ponyscott]

Actually, Memphis-based UPS archrival FedEx is offering $10 million per year to get Memphis in a BCS conference. FedEx also has some influence with its huge sports marketing budget -- the FedEx Cup in the PGA, the FedEx Orange Bowl, Redskins' FedEx Field, not to mention FedEx Forum, home of the Memphis Tigers. The later adds some financial justification to the offer -- more high profile televised games at the Forum. Perhaps as important or more so, FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith's son just transferred from Miami to play quarterback for the Tigers and a large % of senior FedEx executives are Memphis alumni[/quote]

You are right...a brain cramp from me. NOT UPS........but FedEx, and yes Smiths son did transfer but will $ really influence any BCS Conference to let Memphis in?...The facilities are second rate and SAT scores are low and isn't Memphis just a glorified Community college? Its a commuter school still and always will be.

[Ponyx2]

...The facilities are second rate and SAT scores are low and isn't Memphis just a glorified Community college? Its a commuter school still and always will be.

Didn't you just describe Cougar High?

[ponyscott]

...The facilities are second rate and SAT scores are low and isn't Memphis just a glorified Community college? Its a commuter school still and always will be.

Didn't you just describe Cougar High?

Right on, and 'Cougar High' AND 'Tiger High' are very simliar in many respects.
Also this Spring SMU was voting on a requirement to have students live on campus for freshman and also sophomore years so that we wouldnt be so' cummuter like' as well. Did that happen?

[SMU89]

From channel 25 Waco article

Officials from Baylor and the four other Big 12 schools expected to be left behind by the superconference realignment held a conference call on Saturday.

Inside sources say one of the topics was the possibility of reconstituting the Big 12 by skimming the top teams from the Mountain West, C-USA and Big East conferences.

[Texafornian]

This looks pretty viable. All sources are indicating that aTm has turned down the Pac-10 and may have enough votes to go to the SEC.

Hopefully this scenario plays out:

aTm -> SEC (plus teams from ACC/Big East)
Utah -> Pac-11 (now Pac-12)
Texas & Co -> Pac-12 (now Pac-16)
MWC -> Big XII (now Big 14)
SMU & Houston -> Big XII (now Big 16)

You could exchange Utah with Kansas; the Big XII would still end up with 14. It seems to me that the new Big XII will want to expand to 16 teams to compete with the Pac-16.

[SMU89]

On KTVT-11 Sport Score with Bill Jones, Chuck Cooperstein said to disregard whatever formal press release TCU athletic department sent out about the Baylor situation because behind the scenes TCU athletic officials would make sure there was no way Baylor would EVER get in the MWC. Basically implied they cannot stand Baylor and think Baylor rubbed their noses in it 15 years ago. Very interesting comments, since Coop has a TON of contacts in the TCU athletic department where he served as play-by-play guy for years.

In his opinion, the only option for Baylor will be CUSA.

[mustangbill67]

Chip Brown was interviewed on Channel 8 tonight and said he now believes there is a very good chance the remaining 10 big 12 teams will stay together with a much larger TV payout and the right to start individual TV networks. He also said that he had heard that Arkansas had put out feelers about joining them if it all worked out. Interesting!