*****The Super, Mega, Huge Big 12 Expansion Thread*****
- Thread starter CloneFan4
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KU insider again...
Tale of the Tait | Fan blogs | KUsports.com
Spent the past few hours trying to get a solid read on OU's move here. Are they legitimately trying to help save the conference or simply biding time until they can bolt?
Tough call. And I gotta tell ya, I've talked to plenty of people on both sides of this thing.
Here are the prevailing thoughts:
• OU's in as long as Texas makes some concessions and Beebe's out.
• OU's in but only because they can't get BOTH OU and OSU into the Pac-12.
• OU's doing this as a way to show they tried but hoping that Texas says no to the demands so they can bolt and say it was all UT's fault.
• OU's Pac-12 all the way and is trying to power play Texas into doing something. These two are divorced and it's uglier than ever.
Any of these could be true. I'm still leaning toward OU's interest in saving the Big 12 being legit right now. Why else would they go through all this if they're going to leave anyway?
Meanwhile, Missouri reportedly has lined up a sweet deal with the SEC that says if the Big 12 blows up, they'll head south. At the same time, plenty of Big 12 sources are saying that MU chancellor Brady Deaton is working his butt off to save the Big 12. I'm buying it.
According to those I've talked to, Deaton is a stand-up guy who is fulfilling his obligations to the Big 12 as the chairman of the board of the directors. At the same time, he cannot — and should not be expected to — control what OU or Texas are saying, doing or even thinking. That's when his obligation to Mizzou kicks in.
Right now, he's played this thing about as well as it could be played. If the Big 12 lives, he plays a huge role and is praised for it. If it dies, it's someone else's fault and he's a genius for setting up a nice landing spot for Mizzou. The guy deserves a raise.
Before you go off on how this is exactly what KU's leaders should be doing, you have to remember something.... Missouri had these options and that gave Mizzou this leverage. Kansas has not and does not.
Deaton and OU president David Boren are supposed to meet later this week and OU officials have said they should have their decision by the end of the week.
God willing, that'll be true.
Stay tuned...
Tale of the Tait | Fan blogs | KUsports.com
Spent the past few hours trying to get a solid read on OU's move here. Are they legitimately trying to help save the conference or simply biding time until they can bolt?
Tough call. And I gotta tell ya, I've talked to plenty of people on both sides of this thing.
Here are the prevailing thoughts:
• OU's in as long as Texas makes some concessions and Beebe's out.
• OU's in but only because they can't get BOTH OU and OSU into the Pac-12.
• OU's doing this as a way to show they tried but hoping that Texas says no to the demands so they can bolt and say it was all UT's fault.
• OU's Pac-12 all the way and is trying to power play Texas into doing something. These two are divorced and it's uglier than ever.
Any of these could be true. I'm still leaning toward OU's interest in saving the Big 12 being legit right now. Why else would they go through all this if they're going to leave anyway?
Meanwhile, Missouri reportedly has lined up a sweet deal with the SEC that says if the Big 12 blows up, they'll head south. At the same time, plenty of Big 12 sources are saying that MU chancellor Brady Deaton is working his butt off to save the Big 12. I'm buying it.
According to those I've talked to, Deaton is a stand-up guy who is fulfilling his obligations to the Big 12 as the chairman of the board of the directors. At the same time, he cannot — and should not be expected to — control what OU or Texas are saying, doing or even thinking. That's when his obligation to Mizzou kicks in.
Right now, he's played this thing about as well as it could be played. If the Big 12 lives, he plays a huge role and is praised for it. If it dies, it's someone else's fault and he's a genius for setting up a nice landing spot for Mizzou. The guy deserves a raise.
Before you go off on how this is exactly what KU's leaders should be doing, you have to remember something.... Missouri had these options and that gave Mizzou this leverage. Kansas has not and does not.
Deaton and OU president David Boren are supposed to meet later this week and OU officials have said they should have their decision by the end of the week.
God willing, that'll be true.
Stay tuned...
His theory has a good chance at being right and if it is - then he gets twit cred from it, if wrong - he has the cover of hundreds of other twits posting "sources" being flat out wrong. If OU is gone, then you have to think texas stays, no way they give all of those quotes to Tramel and take all those shots at Texas if they 1) know they are leaving and 2) Think Texas is coming with them...so that is good, I think, the whole theory about this was an elaborate set up to bring texas down to equality - sounds great and if it works, will be a heck of a book someday...but I don't exactly buy it either...OU wants what is best for OU and hopefully they have concluded that is in the big 12 with a new vision, new by laws, new commish and a chance to stay on top of the college football pyramid
That makes no sense to me. They aren't going to accept Mizzou unless the Big12 implodes (See Texas A$M as an example). This is no different then Iowa State talking to the Big East or the MWC.
The Devil is ESPN. Way too spread out and way too liable. So they need to report the break up. Finacially, for them to save any face and $$$, they need to have the 4 Divisions, with no litigation.
They have been fueling every rumor since day one, and all of us, me included, stay glued to it.
They have the most to gain and the most to lose. That's why they keep trying to steer the talk
I think that is exactly what it is saying. Missouri has secured a soft landing for themselves, should they need one. Nothing more, nothing less.
Edit: that's what the factual account is, ESPN is using it to drive the chaos.
I have a hard time believing anything ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Bull$%*^ writes these days. They seem to be more into sensationalizing the story and chasing Twitter Updates than doing any actual investigative reporting. They also seem to have a lot invested in the idea of 4 superconferences with a 2 game playoff. That can't happen if the Big 12 survives and stands in the way of the ACC, B1G, SEC, and PACwhatever. Doesn't it seem odd with the timing of this story?
BTW, long time reader of CF. Tired of creeping and decided to get involved in the worlds longest internet thread.
pfft, not a writer, "news service"... Also, "The News, citing two sources familiar with the discussions, said a majority of SEC presidents have endorsed the agreement, though a timetable for the move remains unknown"...
I think ESPN needs some lawsuits to come their way for all of the sensationalizing they are doing to get what they want.
Got to be a lawyer that wants to take this on! Little ISU. et. al, takes on the monopoly of sports.
I've heard this before...somewhere...recently...can't seem to put my finger on it.
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