http://www.burntorangenation.com/2016/5/...ealignment

A desire to keep the Longhorn Network intact may be the driving force behind the Texas desire to keep the conference at 10 teams.

As the story goes, the Texas Longhorns are the big bully of the Big 12, forcing other schools to depart the conference out of arrogance and avarice and effectively giving the nine other members of the league a giant swirly by forcing their collective third-tier rights into the departing toilet water due to the existence of the Longhorn Network.

The thing is, if a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer is accurate, there may be some truth to the stereotype -- with a super majority of eight schools needed to vote in favor of expansion from 10 schools, Texas is pressuring TCU and Texas Tech to withhold votes, leaving the conference one vote short of reaching that necessary 75-percent threshold.

The reasoning? There's a supposed reluctance to expand because it could further pressure the Longhorns to give up the Longhorn Network. According to sources, league-wide pressure to fold the LHN into a conference network that went public in the form of comments from the Oklahoma president and Oklahoma State head football Mike Gundy would even result in Texas continuing to earn more money than the rest of the schools.

Texas athletic director Mike Perrin only has a contact through the 2017-18 academic year, but will be a key figure in this debate. When asked about the Longhorn Network's future back in early March, Perrin declined comment.

What is the latest in that regard? Austin American-Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls recently shared his thoughts:

I still see no willingness on Texas' part to fold the Longhorn Network into a Big 12 network, even if the league gives the Longhorns an extra $15 million share to cover its LHN income, because, the Texas source said, "we would get the same money, but lose our branding and having our own channel? Not very compelling. If we get rid of LHN, it will be to change conferences, in my opinion."

They can expand and here's how.

1. Take the conference to 16 teams and rebrand "The Big 16". Adding in USF as one of the teams of course.

2, Fold the LHN into the Big 16 Conference Network.

3. Give Texas three shares of the Big 16 Conference network revenue and the rest of the members one share. Problem solved.

Something I think most people may be missing is (from what I read) the University of Texas has such a high opinion of itself that even if they agreed to expand I could see them holding the conference to the stipulation that it’s only with members from another P5 conference.

UT (again from what I’ve read) feels it belongs academically on a level with the PAC 12 schools like Stanford and BIG schools like Michigan. From a branding standpoint they feel like they are on par with Notre Dame and Ohio State, I don’t see them giving up the Long Horn Network and their control over the Big 12 for any of the programs in the AAC, maybe BYU but I think even that’s a long shot.

Fans in Texas please correct me if I’m wrong, like I said it’s only my perception.

Shocking news to no one, of course Texas wants what is best for Texas

It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

(05-04-2016 02:36 PM)NYCTUFan Wrote:  Something I think most people may be missing is (from what I read) the University of Texas has such a high opinion of itself that even if they agreed to expand I could see them holding the conference to the stipulation that it’s only with members from another P5 conference.

UT (again from what I’ve read) feels it belongs academically on a level with the PAC 12 schools like Stanford and BIG schools like Michigan. From a branding standpoint they feel like they are on par with Notre Dame and Ohio State, I don’t see them giving up the Long Horn Network and their control over the Big 12 for any of the programs in the AAC, maybe BYU but I think even that’s a long shot.

Fans in Texas please correct me if I’m wrong, like I said it’s only my perception.

UT has always been this way... All decision making go through them first and if it's profitable for them they'll give the green light... But the moment UT feels they're losing ground all hell turns lose.

It is what it is, UT will say

(05-04-2016 02:18 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  They can expand and here's how.

1. Take the conference to 16 teams and rebrand "The Big 16". Adding in USF as one of the teams of course.

2, Fold the LHN into the Big 16 Conference Network.

3. Give Texas three shares of the Big 16 Conference network revenue and the rest of the members one share. Problem solved.

I think you missed this part:

Quote:I still see no willingness on Texas' part to fold the Longhorn Network into a Big 12 network, even if the league gives the Longhorns an extra $15 million share to cover its LHN income, because, the Texas source said, "we would get the same money, but lose our branding and having our own channel? Not very compelling. If we get rid of LHN, it will be to change conferences, in my opinion."

(05-04-2016 02:44 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

This is precisely it.

Texas, just like every other school out there, is looking out for itself first and foremost. They clearly find the most advantageous position for themselves is in the status quo.

Here's what they imply: If you want to expand, that's fine but we'll leave and go elsewhere. We can buy our way out of the LHN contract and go to another conference. This would likely lead to the death of the Big12 as we know because I doubt OU will stick around after Texas leaves.

If they don't expand, the Big12 will die eventually anyway, due to substantially lower revenue for all schools not named Texas.

Either way the Big12 is a sinking ship and expanding is not going to save it

(05-04-2016 02:54 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:44 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

This is precisely it.

Texas, just like every other school out there, is looking out for itself first and foremost. They clearly find the most advantageous position for themselves is in the status quo.

Here's what they imply: If you want to expand, that's fine but we'll leave and go elsewhere. We can buy our way out of the LHN contract and go to another conference. This would likely lead to the death of the Big12 as we know because I doubt OU will stick around after Texas leaves.

If they don't expand, the Big12 will die eventually anyway, due to substantially lower revenue for all schools not named Texas.

Either way the Big12 is a sinking ship and expanding is not going to save it

Yeah but we still all want invites, just so we can rake in the dough until it implodes and becomes AAC 2.0

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(05-04-2016 02:57 PM)bullsbucsfan426 Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:54 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:44 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

This is precisely it.

Texas, just like every other school out there, is looking out for itself first and foremost. They clearly find the most advantageous position for themselves is in the status quo.

Here's what they imply: If you want to expand, that's fine but we'll leave and go elsewhere. We can buy our way out of the LHN contract and go to another conference. This would likely lead to the death of the Big12 as we know because I doubt OU will stick around after Texas leaves.

If they don't expand, the Big12 will die eventually anyway, due to substantially lower revenue for all schools not named Texas.

Either way the Big12 is a sinking ship and expanding is not going to save it

Yeah but we still all want invites, just so we can rake in the dough until it implodes and becomes AAC 2.0

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Trust me, I don't blame you one bit. I was 100% for UCF jumping on the dying Big East and I'm 100% for UCF doing the same to the Big 12.

Whoever doesn't make the jump is going to be stuck in what is effectively CUSA right now (assuming several teams leave).

(05-04-2016 02:52 PM)FrancisDrake Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:18 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  They can expand and here's how.

1. Take the conference to 16 teams and rebrand "The Big 16". Adding in USF as one of the teams of course.

2, Fold the LHN into the Big 16 Conference Network.

3. Give Texas three shares of the Big 16 Conference network revenue and the rest of the members one share. Problem solved.

I think you missed this part:

Quote:I still see no willingness on Texas' part to fold the Longhorn Network into a Big 12 network, even if the league gives the Longhorns an extra $15 million share to cover its LHN income, because, the Texas source said, "we would get the same money, but lose our branding and having our own channel? Not very compelling. If we get rid of LHN, it will be to change conferences, in my opinion."

No, I ignored it. Everything is pure speculation and my post was my opinion. I'll make sure I add "IMHO" next time.

Texas, John Swofford is on line one. You can keep you network and you only have to play 5 ACC teams in football every year. Your other games can be against your old B12 and SEC Rivals.

(05-04-2016 03:00 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  No, I ignored it. Everything is pure speculation and my post was my opinion. I'll make sure I add "IMHO" next time.

True story, who knows what shakes out....

(05-04-2016 03:00 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:57 PM)bullsbucsfan426 Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:54 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:44 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

This is precisely it.

Texas, just like every other school out there, is looking out for itself first and foremost. They clearly find the most advantageous position for themselves is in the status quo.

Here's what they imply: If you want to expand, that's fine but we'll leave and go elsewhere. We can buy our way out of the LHN contract and go to another conference. This would likely lead to the death of the Big12 as we know because I doubt OU will stick around after Texas leaves.

If they don't expand, the Big12 will die eventually anyway, due to substantially lower revenue for all schools not named Texas.

Either way the Big12 is a sinking ship and expanding is not going to save it

Yeah but we still all want invites, just so we can rake in the dough until it implodes and becomes AAC 2.0

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Trust me, I don't blame you one bit. I was 100% for UCF jumping on the dying Big East and I'm 100% for UCF doing the same to the Big 12.

Whoever doesn't make the jump is going to be stuck in what is effectively CUSA right now (assuming several teams leave).

Careful what you wish for... If you think you know what limitations mean, wait till you in the same room with UT, Insane_Baboon

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/colle...391254.php

UT officials clearly are not excited about the prospect of folding the Longhorn Network into a league-wide television network that would the conference more on even footing like the Southeastern, Pac 12 and Big Ten networks that have league networks.

In order to proceed with expansion, the Big 12 would need a super majority of eight votes. And the Enquirer reported that seven schools are believed to favor expansion.



The Cincinnati newspaper reported that UT is "believed to be influencing Texas Tech's and TCU's decision" on expansion.

Tech is one of UT's closest allies and have long been aligned since Tech joined the Southwest Conference in 1960.

And the paper reported that TCU is following UT's wishes in gratitude after former UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds' push to get the Horned Frogs into the Big 12 from their short tenure in the Big East in 2010.

Whether UT will have enough influence over the next few weeks will be a fascinating revelation in power politics.

And few schools in college athletics have played that better over the years than UT.

(05-04-2016 03:00 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:57 PM)bullsbucsfan426 Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:54 PM)Insane_Baboon Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 02:44 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  It is what it is... This is my conference... All you in this league (big12) who are pressuring me to vote for expansion will be left out when I destroy this conference and start new one, UT will say.

I say the big12 dissolves or they survive but without OU and probably Kansas.

This is precisely it.

Texas, just like every other school out there, is looking out for itself first and foremost. They clearly find the most advantageous position for themselves is in the status quo.

Here's what they imply: If you want to expand, that's fine but we'll leave and go elsewhere. We can buy our way out of the LHN contract and go to another conference. This would likely lead to the death of the Big12 as we know because I doubt OU will stick around after Texas leaves.

If they don't expand, the Big12 will die eventually anyway, due to substantially lower revenue for all schools not named Texas.

Either way the Big12 is a sinking ship and expanding is not going to save it

Yeah but we still all want invites, just so we can rake in the dough until it implodes and becomes AAC 2.0

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Trust me, I don't blame you one bit. I was 100% for UCF jumping on the dying Big East and I'm 100% for UCF doing the same to the Big 12.

Whoever doesn't make the jump is going to be stuck in what is effectively CUSA right now (assuming several teams leave).

No doubt. You get a power conference invite, expect a massive facilities boost in just 3-4 years. TCU has used the big 12 tag quite well. I know Harlan won't blow a second shot at a power conference tag like woolard did.

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You know that old saying in Texas, 'You mess with the horns you get the bull.'

So if tech and tcu have yet not decided for it than it means baylor is in favor of expansion. Weird

Because of their tiny location, tech should be favoring expansion too... I mean, if UT goes the independent route where will tech go??? Sorry but no way tech convinces anyone take them from their current address after they're left behind.

(05-04-2016 03:34 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  So if tech and tcu have yet not decided for it than it means baylor is in favor of expansion. Weird

Because of their tiny location, tech should be favoring expansion too... I mean, if UT goes the independent route where will tech go??? Sorry but no way tech convinces anyone take them from their current address after they're left behind.

Tech, TCU and Baylor know they need Texas in Big12 or no one will pick them if Texas leaves, they will vote on whatever Lomhgorns want

(05-04-2016 03:42 PM)Cubanbull Wrote:  

(05-04-2016 03:34 PM)BigHouston Wrote:  So if tech and tcu have yet not decided for it than it means baylor is in favor of expansion. Weird

Because of their tiny location, tech should be favoring expansion too... I mean, if UT goes the independent route where will tech go??? Sorry but no way tech convinces anyone take them from their current address after they're left behind.

Tech, TCU and Baylor know they need Texas in Big12 or no one will pick them if Texas leaves, they will vote on whatever Lomhgorns want

That is exactly why tech and baylor were picked over Houston and SMU... UT wanted Texas allies but from markets they know will never grow and use them for challanges for these present ones.