UPDATE WED 6:30PM
A lot has happened today but after reaching out to sources close to the situation, nothing that has happened today is going to derail OU and Texas from completing their inclusion into the SEC. The vote is still fully expected to move forward tomorrow and the Regents meeting is fully expected to remain in place on Friday.
If you are just catching up, the Big 12 Conference sent a cease and desist letter to ESPN telling them to stop communicating with it's members and to stop communicating with any other NCAA conferences about members from the Big 12 Conference leaving to join other conferences.
My take would be that the Big 12 is doing everything it can to put itself in position to get the biggest possible settlement possible. They are probably going for way more than the rights fees. Trying to pile up a lot of damages and penalties and claiming tortious interference.
Here are some of the highlights
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UPDATE TUE 8:50AM
OU has announced a Board of Regents meeting for Friday, July 30, to "consider athletics conference membership".
UPDATE 9:20AM
OU and Texas issue a joint press release saying they are both leaving the Big 12. It's official.
The University of Oklahoma and The University of Texas at Austin notified the Big 12 Athletic Conference today that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025. Providing notice to the Big 12 at this point is important in advance of the expiration of the conference’s current media rights agreement. The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements. However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.
I know everyone will want to know when OU will be playing games as members of the SEC. But OU and Texas did not mention anything about the SEC in their press release because this was an important first step. The SEC couldn't have any official dealings with either school until they withdrew as members of the Big 12 Conference in writing. The next step will be being accepted as members of the SEC and then we'll get to the negotiation stage.
UPDATE MON 8:55AM
OU will inform the Big 12 that they will be withdrawing from the Big 12 Conference today
3.2 Withdrawing Member. A Member (a “Withdrawing Member”) may Withdraw, or shall be deemed to have Withdrawn, as a Member of the Conference: (i) if it gives notice of the intent to Withdraw to the Conference;
We have also caught word that President Harroz has called a meeting with all the university VPs this morning to inform them of the decision and how they will proceed moving forward.
UPDATE SUN 6:25PM
The Big 12 has just released another statement:
Big 12 Executive Committee Meets with OU and UT Presidents
IRVING, TEXAS - The Big 12 Conference Executive Committee, consisting of Big 12 Board of Directors chairman and Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec and Baylor University President Linda Livingstone; and Commissioner Bob Bowlsby met by videoconference Sunday afternoon with University of Oklahoma President Joe Harroz and University of Texas President Jay Hartzell.
“The meeting was cordial, and the Executive Committee expressed a willingness to discuss proposals that would strengthen the Conference and be mutually beneficial to OU and UT, as well as the other member institutions of the Conference,” Bowlsby stated. “I expect that we will continue our conversations in the days ahead and we look forward to discussing thoughts, ideas and concepts that may be of shared interest and impact.”
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So I haven't given you guys an update since Friday and yesterday I just kind of veg'd out a bit. But I have been back on the phones today. I still have not exchanged any correspondence with Joe Castiglione at this point.
But here are some bullet points that I'm hearing:
* This comes down to a lot of different factors. It's not just 11am kickoffs, it's not just the television contract. It's a realization by OU leadership that the Big 12 is going to fall behind in a lot of areas if they stay committed to the Big 12.
A new television contract in 2025 is a scary proposition for everyone in the Big 12. But I'll get to that in a minute. Here's something I heard today that makes a ton of sense: The home football schedule and the money OU has been making from selling season tickets has been falling and falling. The prices of tickets have been going down with unattractive matchup after unattractive matchup. Oklahoma State has used Bedlam as their entire way to sell season tickets. And they struggle to sell out. What has the face value of tickets to home games against KU fallen to? You guys tell me.
Back in the day, some season ticket holders would sell their tickets to Nebraska games to pay for their season tickets. OU doesn't have home games like that anymore.
I think OU realizes how much this is hurting them from improving facilities or even getting into position to build new facilities. And then there is uncertainty about the next television contract.
Here is the schedule for OU over the next few years. The dollar amounts escalate quite a bit. These figures are from Forbes but for some reason they include the Big Ten Network payouts but not SEC or ACC or LHN or OU's Fox Sports deals.
ESPN/FOX deal:
2021
BIG 12
ESPN - $ 127
Fox = $ 96
TOTAL - $ 223
SEC
ESPN - $ 174
CBS - $ 74
TOTAL - $ 248
BIG TEN
ESPN - $194
Fox = $ 243
TOTAL - $ 437
2022
BIG 12
ESPN - $134
Fox = $ 101
TOTAL - $ 235
SEC
ESPN - $ 183
CBS - $ 77
TOTAL - $ 260
BIG TEN
ESPN - $ 204
Fox = $ 255
TOTAL - $ 459
2023
BIG 12
ESPN - $ 140
Fox = $ 106
TOTAL - $ 246
SEC
ESPN - $ 192
CBS - $ 81
TOTAL - $ 273
BIG TEN
ESPN - $ 205
Fox = $ 256
TOTAL - $ 461
2024
BIG 12
ESPN - $ 147
Fox = $ 111
TOTAL - $ 258
SEC
ESPN - $292
BIG TEN
ESPN - $ 216
Fox = $ 269
TOTAL - $ 485
2025
BIG 12
ESPN - $ 155
Fox = $ 117
TOTAL - $ 272
SEC
ESPN - $ 307
BIG TEN
ESPN - $ 226
Fox = $ 283
TOTAL - $ 509
You also have to add $300 million per year onto the SEC's deal in 2024 and 2025 because ESPN just bought the CBS rights for $3 billion over 10 years.
OU and Texas know the TV rights are not going to continue escalating for the Big 12 like they are for the SEC. The gap is going to grow considerably. Add into that ESPN would like to have OU and Texas as part of the SEC and OU would like to get away from Fox and their game times and that makes this the perfect storm.
* I've even been told that ESPN will be involved in the negotiations to get OU and Texas out of the Big 12. How that takes shape, I don't know just yet. But I don't think there is any way OU is in the Big 12 in 2024. It's even possible they could be out before 2022.
* This meeting the Big 12 had today will do nothing. OU won't make concessions to stay in the conference. It's just delaying the inevitable. They can't make the revenue needed to keep up with the rest of college football staying in this conference.
Also, I think there is a chance ESPN could get out of the business of televising the Big Ten. Just let Fox have it all. They are very committed to the SEC moving forward. And that's where OU and Texas need/want to be.
UPDATE FRIDAY 1:43PM
Just got word from very good source in SEC. It may not even come to a point where the SEC takes a vote if they know enough members are on board to make the invite official. But if a vote was taken it would be 13-1.
Also talked to a source close to the scheduling situation. If everyone takes off or even if this thing strings out to the conclusion of the 2024 season. Bedlam is not going to be a priority to be played. OU won't be buying out any contracts that have been previously signed for non-conference games.
OU is not opposed to keeping Bedlam going, but logistically they don't have non-conference room for several years in the future.
Also someone wanted me to relay the process of how this will all work.
The SEC doesn't want to be seen as predatory in these matters. OU and Texas will have to officially withdraw from the Big 12 before the SEC can have any official dealings with either OU or Texas. Now both schools have done their due diligence here through third parties. And the SEC has let them know through back channels that they would accept them if they did happen to withdraw from the Big 12.
But first OU must officially withdraw from the Big 12. Then the SEC can take a formal vote to accept them into the SEC.
I've been told elsewhere that this is also to prevent a lawsuit from the Big 12 or it's members against the SEC for tortious interference. Which basically means you can't approach someone under contract and lure them away to come work for you.
UPDATED 9:19PM
I guess most of us know the bombshell of the day was that OU and Texas did not show up for the Big 12 zoom meeting today. It's amazing the amount of stuff I've heard today. But none of it is stuff I'd feel comfortable throwing out there. And if you want to say, what kind of stuff? It's everything. It's the SEC buying out OU and Texas. It's Oklahoma State and Texas Tech heading to the Pac-12. It's OSU and Kansas heading to the ACC, it's the ACC making a bid to sign OU and Texas before the SEC can do it. It's stuff like TCU and Baylor not being able to go to the Pac-12 because they are religious schools (which I actually think is the most true thing I've heard today).
What we do know is that OU and Texas are leaving. And they are headed to the SEC. I've heard a lot of things about how long this has been in the works. The most amazing thing to me is with that going on, every school in the Big 12 was blindsided by the news yesterday. And there is no going back.
The only question is, is how this works itself out. Does the SEC help Texas and OU buy their way out of the league? Does the league fold leaving the Grant of Rights a dead agreement?
What is going to happen for the time being is that the remaining members of the Big 12 are going to try and show solidarity. How long can that hold up? That's the question.
Andy Staples actually wrote a great article about all the options available for the Big 12 for the Athletic and it was spot on and probably more eloquent than what I am capable of writing.
The short answer is I have no idea how this is going to end up playing out. It could break a number of different ways. I don't think a single member of the Big 12 knows how this ultimately plays out. The SEC doesn't know.
But one thing we know for sure. OU is going to be a member of the SEC at some point. The Big 12 as we know it is coming to an end.
UPDATED 12:36PM
A source in Missouri close to the administration there
"I think ultimately it’s a yes. I think the idea they are a hard no is false. I think that was something that was planted like a lot of yesterday’s things were by Texas A&M to try to drum up support for Texas A&M’s position. I think Missouri ultimately is going to go along with what the majority opinion in the SEC would be which I think would certainly be that if Texas and OU were available then bring them on."
UPDATED 12:21PM
Some interesting quotes I've been given today:
"I don’t think there’s a lot of people against it. I think it’s bullshit. I don’t even think Missouri’s against it. I think A&M’s panicked and they’re trying to create a make believe tsunami to make people think there’s a lot of support for their position."
Another quote from a different source:
"I know everyone’s going to say this about people are going to vote no and all that crap, but I don’t buy that for a minute... But there’s not a chance in hell that the SEC is going to look at two brands as big as Texas and Oklahoma and say no. There is no chance. There is no chance. Those are two of the biggest brands in college sports. And football drives the SEC, just like it drives the Big 12 and if you’re ESPN and you’re ABC, you are not going to let some feelings get in the way of that much money. When you add Texas and you add Oklahoma to that television inventory on a weekly basis in the fall, it is a bonanza."
I'll add more in a bit.
UPDATED THUR 10:55am
Been making a lot of calls this morning. And this is what I'm hearing.
I haven't run across a single source in the SEC that believes any other teams other than A&M would vote against OU and Texas joining the league.
In fact, most people believe that this would be such a good move for the SEC that the conference will sit down with A&M leadership and just tell them to stop fighting this, it's going to happen and they need to get on board with it.
I wouldn't be shocked if the SEC ends up announces OU and Texas were unanimously approved by a 14-0 vote.
Or A&M could just keep being A&M and they would announce they have invited OU and Texas to join the conference and not release the details of the vote, even though it would likely be a 13-1 vote.
And here's why it will be a near unanimous vote:
The powerhouses don't care. And few of them are going to be hurt by it. The non powerhouse schools love the idea of having Oklahoma and Texas coming to their stadiums and helping them sell season tickets as well as the hope that they can get better through recruiting Texas.
I am just not coming into contact with any sources so far that believe OU and Texas won't be welcomed in with open arms.
UPDATED 6:14pm
Source close to the Texas administration has told me they believe A&M leaked the info about OU and Texas exploring the move.
But both schools were just inquiring about the level of support they would receive if both declared their intentions to join the SEC.
My guess is that A&M was hoping this would gum up the works for both schools and especially Oklahoma who might get caught in some political crosshairs of leaving behind their in-state rival.
OU and Texas wanted to make this an exploration but that wasn't possible once A&M found out.
I'm guessing this won't go over well with the other conference members and it could give OU and Texas even more support to join the conference from the other members who won't look kindly on A&M for trying to control a move that would benefit the entire conference.
With all that being said, I still haven't heard from anyone at OU that tells me this is a legitimate option and something they are definitely going to pursue.
So we'll just have to keep digging. But this possibility of OU leaving for the SEC is definitely possible from everything I'm hearing.
Also regarding Missouri, I'm told Mizzou would not try and block either school from joining the SEC. So that would conflict with what Kirk Bohls was reporting.
UPDATED 4:53PM
I had requested a statement from OU. They have just released the statement.
"The college athletics landscape is shifting constantly. We don't address every anonymous rumor."
I was told to credit a "university spokesperson" as the individual who issued that statement.
No one is denying the report. OU appears to be exploring a move to the SEC.
ALSO OSU IS REALLY PISSED OFF!!!
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JUST SOME INFO I'LL KEEP STREAMING OUT: I did research the conference bylaws for the SEC. With Texas A&M clearly coming out in opposition of Texas joining the league, I looked up the bylaws for new membership:
*3.1.2 Granting of Membership. Membership may be granted by invitation of the Conference at a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers. A vote of at least three-fourths of the members is required to extend an invitation for membership.
So basically OU and Texas would just need 8 current conference members to OK their invitation to join the conference.
ORIGINAL POST: Just wanted to let you guys know I have reached out to the highest of higher ups hoping to get a read on the reports from the Houston Chronicle and OU and Texas have reached out to the SEC and started conversations about joining that conference.
It's been complete silence. I would say most of my contacts don't pull the "no comment" on me. They'll just ignore me. haha.
The current Grant of Rights for the Big 12 lasts until 2025.
It's always possible both schools are just exploring options.
So what could have changed?
Well, the College Football Playoff has been very good to Oklahoma with them being in the Big 12. They've been able to have multiple opportunities to win a national championship while being a member of the Big 12. But now that the format is changing in the future, Oklahoma's path wouldn't be as difficult to make the CFP even if they were in a much tougher conference like the SEC. And you can't deny that teams in the SEC are making a lot more money than Big 12 teams are making. So the road to a national title is opening up the possibility of even more teams from the SEC making the playoff.
Secondly, OU's third tier rights deal with Fox Sports is now partially in the hands of Sinclair, who bought the regional sports networks from Fox Sports. How will that deal be impacted in the future? It probably won't get more lucrative. And I'm sure pay-per-view is a bit of a PR hit for the athletic department. If they can get even more money and be on the SEC Network then maybe they feel that is the best route to take with so much uncertainty about carriage deals.
Then you obviously have recruiting. And I don't care what Texas A&M has to say. If OU and Texas join, that just opens up the state of Texas more to the SEC. And I can't see the other 13 schools giving a flying flip about Texas A&M's feelings.
As for being tied to OSU, people I'm talking to says there's nothing politicians can really do to keep OU from leaving. They can force the SEC to take OSU. So that's become a bit of an urban legend.
I'll keep checking and keep updating if/when I hear something more concrete about OU's true interest in this stuff.
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