There's no doubt that the pressure is on them to add quality schools or the conference will dissolve. http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2011/08/31/big-12-faces-choices-after-am-move/
Because they actually thought the Little 12 would exist for several more years. But if OU & OSU go west after A&M leaves, the Little 12 dies next summer.
I agree with you there, but ESPN is the most powerful entity in sports and I find it harder to believe that ESPN didn't protect itself in some way as they have spent a ton of money getting this thing off the ground (or at least trying to). It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.
BTW - as a Tax paying Texan, I am appalled that my tax dollars are going to state institutions that are allowed to go out and just make decisions without any approval of the state congress. They are not businesses, they are state institutions, supported by us...... For what it is worth, I think UT's private channel will be a bust, and is really a poor decision, as is A&M going to the SEC. Both of these schools benefit from each other....and they are both being incredibly arrogant to say otherwise. I wish we tax payers could sue them over this.... DD
Uhh, so you want universities micromanaged by the State Congress? Should they also go to Congress every time they hire a new professor? What does A&M's move to the SEC have to do with your taxpayer dollars?
DaDa, are you really so butthurt about A&M going to a better conference that you want to resort to the legislature being able to control what schools do in terms of conference affiliation? And then you what, want them to rule based on where the school can win the most? I don't like A&M personally, but I am amazed at how outraged Longhorns have become over this.
You really want the state government to get involved? Did you really think the government needed to get involved with baseball and steroids? They waste enough time and money screwing up important issues. Even if UT's longhorn network is a bust, it's $$$$$ and revenue to the "state funded" institution. Why would you sue a business for signing a contract that is worth a billion dollars? Just because another state funded school didnt like it?? As far as A&M going to the SEC, I don't blame them for trying to look out for themselves, I just think they are delusional. The big 12 is a mess, and probably won't survive another 3 years unless something drastic happens in the next year, but Texas will end up in Pac super 16 or independent. The smaller schools like Baylor are the only ones to suffer in the long run. The only way I see UT vs A&M in football after this year is if its on the longhorn network :grin::grin:, which we know A&M would never agree to.
You guys don't have any issues with state funded institutions going out and doing things for their own good, that might not have a positive effect on the people in the state that are funding their very existance? Ok... DD
I'm not sure why the people are so butthurt about the other people being butthurt about how the school/schools are butthurt about how they butthurt each other. Oh and I'm also not sure why use of the term butthurt is so endemic to this particular context, but I am sure the BUTTHURTINESS of this thread is so BUTTHURT THAT IT HURTS MY BUTT.
Do you think the legislature should force A&M, Tech and UT to leave the BIG 12 and form the "Big ol' Texas Penis Conference!" with UH, SMU, TCU, Rice, Texas State, Praire View, etc.? Or just get involved to make sure UT doesn't lose their kid brother?
