After reading reports from multiple news sources, here's what I have concluded.
The majority of Big 12 schools favor expansion. However, it takes a super majority to add teams, and Texas has Tech and TCU in their corner. They are reminding both, they are responsible for them being in the conference. One of these three need to vote in favor, and that is an issue.
The likely candidates are Cincy and UConn. ESPN love Cincy and it's a large TV market, larger most of the Big 12's current members. Boren favors Cincy and WVU as well. They are a lock if expansion occurs. The other choice is between UConn and BYU, and St. Lake papers are reporting there has not been any contact from the conference for BYU. Ucon would be an easy choice to get to 12.
As many have pointed out the 600 gorilla is the Longhorn Network. ESPN would love to get out of this financial white elephant, so there is motivation. The research shows the conference needs to move to 12, question is, what will Texas do? They hold the cards now.
One other issue lurking, if OU does not get their expansion, they certainly have options. Both the SEC and Big 10 would roll out the carpet for them. Could the conference survive them leaving? I would hate to think of a conference with Texas holding all the cards with OU gone...but then they are holding most of them right now, aren't they?
The majority of Big 12 schools favor expansion. However, it takes a super majority to add teams, and Texas has Tech and TCU in their corner. They are reminding both, they are responsible for them being in the conference. One of these three need to vote in favor, and that is an issue.
The likely candidates are Cincy and UConn. ESPN love Cincy and it's a large TV market, larger most of the Big 12's current members. Boren favors Cincy and WVU as well. They are a lock if expansion occurs. The other choice is between UConn and BYU, and St. Lake papers are reporting there has not been any contact from the conference for BYU. Ucon would be an easy choice to get to 12.
As many have pointed out the 600 gorilla is the Longhorn Network. ESPN would love to get out of this financial white elephant, so there is motivation. The research shows the conference needs to move to 12, question is, what will Texas do? They hold the cards now.
One other issue lurking, if OU does not get their expansion, they certainly have options. Both the SEC and Big 10 would roll out the carpet for them. Could the conference survive them leaving? I would hate to think of a conference with Texas holding all the cards with OU gone...but then they are holding most of them right now, aren't they?
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