A&M and BU presidents lobbied for UH for Big 12 inclusion

[Cougar King]

Per DallasNews:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... loftin.ece


Apparently it was FOX who wanted West Virginia for a bigger increase of revenue. Still interesting nonetheless. It makes me woner what else goes on behind the scenes regarding this stuff.

[ponyscott]

Wow....really?

[Cougar King]

Wow....really?

Yeah. From what I heard, we were going to be in over TCU but UT and Fox said no and to add them and WVU.

[CalallenStang]

Wow....really?

Yeah. From what I heard, we were going to be in over TCU but UT and Fox said no and to add them and WVU.

This is correct. When A&M left, the B12 lost a huge part of the Houston market. UH made the most logical sense to replace that market, but Fox felt that the B12's national profile would be higher if TCU (and West Virginia) were added.

Plus, Texas under DeLoss Dodds will never be in a conference with Houston.

[03Mustang]

Ouch

[gostangs]

Plus there is a great deal of UT/Froggie crossover big dog alumni - and there are absolutely no UH/UT crossover.

[ReedFrawg]

Wow....really?

Yeah. From what I heard, we were going to be in over TCU but UT and Fox said no and to add them and WVU.

This is correct. When A&M left, the B12 lost a huge part of the Houston market. UH made the most logical sense to replace that market, but Fox felt that the B12's national profile would be higher if TCU (and West Virginia) were added.

Plus, Texas under DeLoss Dodds will never be in a conference with Houston.

Can you point me to the article of info about Fox and their influence about which schools to add? Not doubting it but would genuinely like to read about it. Thanks.

[WordUpBU]

Per DallasNews:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... loftin.ece


Apparently it was FOX who wanted West Virginia for a bigger increase of revenue. Still interesting nonetheless. It makes me woner what else goes on behind the scenes regarding this stuff.

I don't see either one really "lobbying" for uh from reading the emails. I see it more as an allusion to a proposal A&M floated back then to replace themselves and placate the politicians in the state.

I know BU would have favored either TCU, SMU, or UH at the time but based on what I have read I don't see any real evidence of lobbying as the thread title implies.

Wow....really?

Yeah. From what I heard, we were going to be in over TCU but UT and Fox said no and to add them and WVU.

I have heard nothing of the sort from anyone unaffiliated with UH. Doesn't mean it is or isn't true but does make you consider the source.

The networks would push for the bigger brands naturally though and comparing perennial League champ contenders, bcs bowl champs, and programs with better facilities, budgets, and fan turnout it would seem to favor the two who were invited- obviously with no disrespect to any school not extended an invite though.

[West Coast Johnny]

TCU's television ratings while in the MWC were much greater than Houston's in CUSA. TCU's games on versus were the highest rated football they had - big fish in a small pond. TCU had a snowball's chance in hell of getting into the big 12, until Chuck Neinas and Fox executives met with big 12 Ads and presented the TV ratings and the ADs quickly changed their tune.

Baylor for that matter was looking at getting banished to CUSA if the Big 12 imploded and they would grasp at any straw including Houston.

[WordUpBU]

TCU's television ratings while in the MWC were much greater than Houston's in CUSA. TCU's games on versus were the highest rated football they had - big fish in a small pond. TCU had a snowball's chance in hell of getting into the big 12, until Chuck Neinas and Fox executives met with big 12 Ads and presented the TV ratings and the ADs quickly changed their tune.

Baylor for that matter was looking at getting banished to CUSA if the Big 12 imploded and they would grasp at any straw including Houston.

Yes but from what I have heard that's only half the issue.

After A&M left nobody knew if MU was following. The Big 12 looked at Pitt, WVU, BYU, and UL before TCU and all were either trying for other leagues (ACC for Pitt or SEC for WVU), overplaying their negotiating hand (BYU), or too timid to fight the court battle to leave the BE in under the 27 months required in bylaws until the B12 set in more stability. (UL)

This scenario gave TCU the opening it needed and from there on their ratings carried them.

TCU's ratings made them a contender but both factors had a significant role in getting TCU in.

[Mexmustang]

I still believe that SMU's biggest risk is a U of H departure from whatever conference we are in. I saw Houston as going to the new ACC (should the current conference implode as it appeared just last month it might do) well before SMU would be invited.

Our only chance is to win, and get in the "gun sights" of some of these East Coast TV excutives. We have a chance in both football and basketball--as success in each sport leverages the other. Remember, these guys are 35-40 years old, only look a reams of numbers to make their marketing decisions and can't even find an SMU sports moment in their adult lives.

[StallionsModelT]

Houston better hope they don't implode like they did in the early 90's and become a doormat. I am absolutely not sold on Levine and the direction he's taking their program.

[CalallenStang]

Yeah. From what I heard, we were going to be in over TCU but UT and Fox said no and to add them and WVU.

This is correct. When A&M left, the B12 lost a huge part of the Houston market. UH made the most logical sense to replace that market, but Fox felt that the B12's national profile would be higher if TCU (and West Virginia) were added.

Plus, Texas under DeLoss Dodds will never be in a conference with Houston.

Can you point me to the article of info about Fox and their influence about which schools to add? Not doubting it but would genuinely like to read about it. Thanks.

Will try to find what I read at the time. I remember it being in the OKC paper

[ReedFrawg]

This is correct. When A&M left, the B12 lost a huge part of the Houston market. UH made the most logical sense to replace that market, but Fox felt that the B12's national profile would be higher if TCU (and West Virginia) were added.

Plus, Texas under DeLoss Dodds will never be in a conference with Houston.[/quote]

Can you point me to the article of info about Fox and their influence about which schools to add? Not doubting it but would genuinely like to read about it. Thanks.[/quote]

Will try to find what I read at the time. I remember it being in the OKC paper[/quote]

Thanks. I am sure there were a lot of factors that helped TCU make the move.

[Stallion]

How much a factor was it that TCU has consistently had a much better football program over 15 years?