The conference realignment rumor mill will be as hot this weekend as the Oklahoma weather.
It may get Pacific Ocean-cool fast for the University of Oklahoma, which just might be one of six Big 12 teams about to merge with the Pac-10.
Orangebloods.com reported today that the Pac-10, which begins its annual meeting this weekend in San Francisco, will become the Pac-16. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Colorado will reportedly be invited to join the conference.
In turn, the Pac-10 would split into two divisions. The six exiled Big 12 schools would join Arizona and Arizona State in one division. The other division would consist of Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Cal.
Big 12 schools Baylor, Iowa State, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Kansas State would be on their own to do as they wish.
This rumor doesn't look like a futile attempt to flout would-be power. As usual in today's college (and professional) athletic culture, follow the money.
With the newly-expanded conference, Orangeblood.com's Chip Brown reports the 16-team league would assemble a television network that could potentially mean $20 million per school in annual revenue, more than double the yearly net income garnered by current Big 12 and Pac-10 schools.
Fox Sports TV’s prime position to partner with the possible 16-team league is also a barometer.
Brown writes: "An invitation from the Pac-10 will be hard for the six Big 12 schools being targeted not to consider. Why? Because Fox Cable Networks (a division of News Corporation), which serves as the chief operating partner of the successful Big Ten Network, appears ready to make the Big 16 Network happen."
"Fox is the chief television partner," Brown continues, "of the Pac-10 currently, and its subsidiary Fox Sports Net currently holds the rights to the Big 12 cable package, which comes up for bid in the spring of 2011. The Pac-10 also has television deals with Fox up for re-bid at the same time."
Big 12 power brokers were not of one accord Thursday on staying together or realignment. Their discord became evident when commissioner Dan Beebe canceled his spring meeting press conference Thursday night and extended the meeting into Friday.
Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne, for example, is intrigued by the SEC. When asked if A&M's options could include the SEC should the Big 12 break up, Byrne said, "It might be. You know what? It might be."
OU athletic director Joe Castiglione, for his part, seems hesitant to be a part in either leading his university out of the Big 12 or breaking up the conference.
"We can cite example after example of how the University of Oklahoma has benefited over 14 years as a member of the Big 12," Castiglione said from the conference's spring meeting in Kansas City. "Every one of the Big 12 institutions is far better off in 2010 and 2011 going forward than they were in 1994. Back then, we had to take a leap of faith. But we had a real big dream and a big expectation for a league that could be as strong as any in the country."
Castiglione did allow that possible ties with the Pac-10 were discussed Thursday.
“I think there's some potential value there,” he said. “We had one meeting with some of the members of the Pac-10. It wasn't a scheduled meeting. We brainstormed some of the possibilities that may exist. Since then, both our commissioner and (Pac-10 Commissioner) Larry Scott have had conversations. It leads one to believe there are some real viable opportunities for both leagues.”
The University of Texas reportedly wants to start its own television network. For that reason, the Longhorns have determined that staying in the Big 12 is its purity of heart.
For more info:
College Football Examiner: Prepare for mass chaos if this rumor comes true
Big 12 abruptly cancels news conference
Gresham prepares for life with Cincinnati Bengals
Williams named starter at left tackle for Washington Redskins
Stoops would reconsider difficult non-conference schedule
Comments
I just cannot imagine OU being in the PAC-10, but then having read the article it wouldn't be the PAC-10. I don't know, my knee jerk reaction is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
As far as television contracts and revenues are concerned, wouldn't any network want to have any conference that OU is a part of?
I guess for me the real question is this. Why is this necessary?
Okay, it's just a rumor at this point, BUT the Big 12 had a news conference scheduled for tomorrow and now has abruptly canceled it. Why? There is no reason coming from the Big 12 offices.
So... IF this happens, when could we expect it to occur at the earliest? Surely it couldn't happen before 2011 or 2012 at the very earliest. I mean, there are contracts in place with the Big 12 for the next several years already, aren't there?
I heard that if the Pac-10 beomes the Pac-16, it would mean a guaranteed $20 MILLION dollars in television revenue for each school. That is a lot of money and is very lucrative. I don't know too many people that would want to pass that up - especially not just for tradition or whatever old school hue and cry that is going around.
Finally, would the Pac-10 change its name? The Pac-16 makes absolutely no sense, as the 6 new teams are nowhere near the Pacific Ocean.
Standing by for more information...
It is all about balance and money. Missouri wants respect and more money. They will get more money but never more respect, esp in the Big 10 from Michigan and Ohio State. They will "feel" the same they do now in the big 12 but they would have more money. Notre Dame has said no and for at least another year they may kill the deal on that side of the conference. Then you have the smelly Longhorns thinking they can get more money on their own and thinking they have much the same sized fan base as Notre Damn. I don't see it myself but money unfortunately rules the sports world now; not tradition or loyalty so anything could happen. I do worry if OU goes to the Pac (whatever it will be) if we will see as many games in the Midwest as the Pac 10 games are rarely shown here now. And the reason so few awards and especially Heisman's have come from those schools, except USC, is because the rest of the country doesn't get to watch them.
Ugh NO! The idea of UT, aTm, and OU in the Pac is pretty disgusting. This is a last-ditch effort by the PAC to get somebody, anybody east of Arizona to watch.
I am praying this doesn't happen. UT, aTm, OU, and Tech should weigh out the SEC offer before jumping into this scheme.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!