The Big 12 probably wants to give UT some sort of space facility so they can practice in zero gravity. Why? They're worried UT might "like" another conference on Google+
Meanwhile, TAMU's request to take a piss without everyone in the state of Texas throwing a b****-fit and getting in their business has been postponed to make way for the space hearing.
The Legislature killed UT's move to the Pac10 in the 90's and interfered with their plans last year too. I don't think anyone at UT likes the legislature's interference any more than you guys do.
What if both Bama and UF want their own network? I agree that the Big 12 is basically anchored by one school. But I think some are seriously underestimating the pull Bama and UF currently has and will have should they decide to pull for the same thing (i.e. school networks). They really haven't had to flex their guns all that much but if the LHN pans out, it's just a matter of time before other big-time programs start wanting their own.
They'll have to go independent I'd imagine. Or rewrite the rules the SEC has written concerning the SEC network. Auburn, Georgia, and the rest of the conference won't take too kindly. It's not like when Iowa State complains...
The good thing is the legislature is out of session until 2013 and has ZERO power unless Perry calls them in for a special session which has absolutely no chance of happening.
Bama does not have enough people in the state to support this. UT may be the only school in the country that can support their own network and we don't even know if they can. The SEC knows what it is doing, it is a breach of contract if those schools want to pursue their own TV contracts and could only do so outside of the confrence. simply put UT>big 12, Bama< SEC.
Everything I read from the sports media seems to dictate that the LHN is just the first in line of teams getting their own network deals. That's all I am going off of though. I am no expert in this area.
Liucci and Zwernemann are both saying that the meeting getting cancelled is good for A&M and that it means the legislature is backing off all together (maybe satisfied that the Big XII will be fine without A&M). Good for A&M, Good for UH
It's a state-funded school. There is a reason that your tuition was peanuts compared to other schools.
The question was what if both Bama and UF want their own networks. I agreed that one school won't do the trick like Texas and the Big 12. But if 2 of your biggest revenue producing schools, maybe even more if LHN is a success, want something, things start getting complicated.
They can try, but they'd lose the lucrative CBS deal and the SEC's contracts are structured totally different. It's harder to do this in the Big 12 because of the way the conference is setup. Texas runs it and will do whatever they want. The rest have to beg and plead for them to stay and keep throwing their scraps. It won't work that way in the SEC.
A&M BOR just officially authorized Loftin to act for A&M in regards to conference affiliation. Will be very intersting to hear what he has to say in his presser here in a couple minutes.
This pretty much sums up my point that I think some people are underestimating the "haves" in the SEC. Don't forget that CBS isn't contracting with SEC to televise all things SEC, they're contracting to televise Bama, UF, and LSU. While the degree of disparity isn't nearly what it is in the Big 12, the Vanderbilts/Miss St/Kentuckys/possibly A&M will be in the same boat as Tech/Baylor/OkSt. should the big guys start pushing their weight around.
TAMU has a HUGE fan base and is footed in Texas. You compare it to Vanderbilt/Miss St./UK -- didn't even include Arkansas?! So shortsighted... Where was Bama 5 years ago? Where is Tennessee now? Rise and fall... rise and fall. TAMU is a top 25 program.
That's quite a long cycle, managing to be absent for pretty much the entire 2000's.....it's like the seasons of Westeros.
We've got an NFL coach that's actually working out, a BCS hopeful and a top 5 class coming in. They're on the right path. Will the move to the tougher SEC cripple that progress? Will the initial excitement ensure another top 5 class in 2013? We'll see... TAMU is in a better state now than Bama was when it was in that Cotton Bowl vs Tech way back when, that's all I'm saying. They held Tech scoreless BTW -- Big 12 = ballerina conference.
