A&M to SEC in 2012?

[tlongII]

That's a rumor I'm hearing. Might not be true, but it's being talked about on the college football boards I hang out on. I'm also hearing that the SEC and Pac-12 will be announcing a challenge matchup of schools within the next couple of years. This one has more legs as I've heard that SEC schools are being asked to clear an OoC schedule date in 2012 or 2013.

[ChumpDumper]

Aggies are just now realizing the new deal favors UT?

Way to reinforce a stereotype.

[Blake]

I think the legs the rumor has are shaky for a 2012 move.

A&M has officially been playing it down and the SEC would have to share their TV money with the Aggies.

[tlongII]

The following is copied from the board I belong to...


There are 2 rumors currently being discussed on the Vandy board that would both directly affect OSU and the Pac 12.

It's being said that all SEC teams have been asked to clear one OOC game from their 2012 schedules, and to add to that insight, all of a sudden the future schedule for Vandy football has disappeared from their website. Here's where the next two rumors get interesting to OSU and the Pac 12.

Rumor #1 is that the dates have been cleared because the SEC and Texas A&M have already reached an agreement for the Aggies to join the SEC starting in 2012. That's being backed by some folks who live in Houston and have supposedly been told by friends of theirs who are big time A&M boosters, who claim the school administration has passed that on to them.

Rumor #2 is that those dates were cleared because the SEC and Pac 12 will be announcing a conference challenge soon in football, just like the current basketball arrangement between Pac 12/Big 10 and ACC/Big East.

Now, both of those rumors could very well be false but I thought it was worth putting it out on Blitz for some discussion; especially since their have been some recent discussions here concerning potential Pac 12 expansion that invloved A&M.

While A&M to the SEC could be nothing but false rumor, we know they were both interested in each other last year and that A&M has been very vocal in it's displeasure with the new Longhorn network in the Big 12. This also seems to be exactly the type of deal SEC commissioner Mike Slive would make and how he would make it, under the table! The SEC is not visionary in any way, shape or form. But, once others have come up with the idea, Slive and the SEC can figure out a way to manipulate and cheat there way to the top in any situation, so with the writing on the wall of future expansion into four 16 team super conferences, it wouldn't be a shock to think Slive and the SEC have jumped out and initiated and under the table agreement already; that's how the do business.

[coyotes_geek]

I do think A&M ends up in the SEC in the not too distant future, but not next year.

[tlongII]

Also from the board...


The A&M to the SEC has legs as Chip Brown at our Texas site was told late yesterday evening that the Regents were supposedly meeting on the 22nd and could finalize the agreement.

I think we all knew that it was a matter of time before the 'dwarfs' got tired of Texas's demands/rule, but I don't think anyone thought it would be this quick.

[Blake]

I also think the Aggies will be in the sec in the near future, but ill believe next year when I see them playing there next year.

[vander]

so then does Texas go Independent and the Big 12 disband?

[Sisk]

Aggies are just now realizing the new deal favors UT?

Way to reinforce a stereotype.

It was realized last year when the same SEC talks came about. Big 12 ponied up and offered 20 mil/season to save the conference and we stayed. Now with the lhn coming on stronger than ever and wanting to show HS games in our back yard (Brenham) it's become too much apparently.

I'd rather wait until after this season to announce any conference change because all it would add is an unnecessary distraction to the team. Hasn't been this much excitement about Football in over a decade - no need to add a distraction.

Sooner or later, the Aggies will be in the SEC, tech in the PAC or maybe B1G, and tu independent.

Tech isn't happy about this either and it wouldn't surprise me if they left before or immediately after the Aggies leave.

Tech Chancellor:


"I don't want a Tech fan to have to give one dime to the Longhorn Network."

http://amarillo.com/blog-post/jon-mark-beilue/2011-08-08/tech-says-no-longhorn-network

[coyotes_geek]

How can they not transform that into success on the field?

The words "Dennis" and "Franchione" come to mind...............

[Blake]

so then does Texas go Independent and the Big 12 disband?

that seems like the case, but it seems there are some people with ties to Baylor that will somehow throw a wrench into it.

[Blake]

Tech isn't happy about this either and it wouldn't surprise me if they left before or immediately after the Aggies leave.

Tech Chancellor:



http://amarillo.com/blog-post/jon-mark-beilue/2011-08-08/tech-says-no-longhorn-network

Tech is as unhappy as anyone else, but Tech also knows which tit gives the best milk.

Tech is staying as long as Big Momma stays.

[Sisk]

Tech is as unhappy as anyone else, but Tech also knows which tit gives the best milk.

Tech is staying as long as Big Momma stays.

They reportedly turned down somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million to air their game vs. tu on the lhn. That's a lot of "milk" to be turning down for someone that plans on sticking around.

[symple19]

I would be glad to see an SEC/Pac-12 challenge.

[Blake]

They reportedly turned down somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million to air their game vs. tu on the lhn. That's a lot of "milk" to be turning down for someone that plans on sticking around.

the UT/Tech will be on ABC/ESPN.

from what I read, UT asked Tech to air an OOC game on the LHN for $5 mill.

Tough call, but they have to say no.

[Sisk]

the UT/Tech will be on ABC/ESPN.

from what I read, UT asked Tech to air an OOC game on the LHN for $5 mill.

Tough call, but they have to say no.

Exactly. If tech wanted to please "big momma" then they would've agreed. I'd bet they'll be gone once the Aggies are, or even before.

[DesignatedT]

Really don't even want to get into all this since this is all texags has talked about the past 6 months.

I will say a few things though.

1. The Big12 is undoubtedly a dead man walking. Texas and ESPN are on their own agenda and our doing whatever they want with no regard to anything or anyone else. That will ultimately cause this conference to fold.
2. They're are only 2 teams that can/will do something to blow this conference up and that is Texas and A&M. (most likely A&M since Texas has it way too good right now in this conference and especially if everyone agrees to bend over for them and stay put) Nobody wants to act first tough and be "responsible" for it.
3. Tech can't and will not do anything without Texas or A&M acting first. A firm invite to the PAC isn't even a guarantee for them. Props to them for telling Texas to fuck off regarding airing their game on their network though. They still have 0 cards to play.
4. Although the SEC WILL take A&M right now if the Aggies do come calling, they would also much prefer the shift in conferences happen a couple years down the road when their T.V contract is up for renegotiation and with that, there will be more money for the conference to split (it will be a massive deal)
5. Aug 22 is an interesting date. If the NCAA rules that it is alright for networks to air High School games then other issues might arise that could either make the process move faster or make an abundant of teams try to start their own networks (including OU, A&M, etc.)

[symple19]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6851396/texas-governor-says-texas-considering-move-sec

[symple19]

So who is gonna be #12 for the SEC?

Anyway, if/when A&M joins, it's going to open the state of Texas up even more to SEC teams(recruiting), especially the western ones

Question is, how bad will it hurt UT recruiting, if at all?

[Blake]

Exactly. If tech wanted to please "big momma" then they would've agreed. I'd bet they'll be gone once the Aggies are, or even before.

ok, read up on it. ESPN was the one that went to Tech:


Tech reportedly was told the UT game would unlikely be carried by ESPN or its partner ABC, thus trying to make the LHN option more attractive. ESPN's pitch also included televising at least two non-conference football games over the next four seasons for $5 million and and some other non-football-related programming. There was also some discussion of ESPN putting together a home-and-home series with a high-profile BCS conference school.




Tech told ESPN to fuck off.....which is exactly the right call.

In the long run, Tech following UT around in a stable Big 12 would mean more money, but also in the long run, this is a shitty deal that does nothing for Tech's image in Texas and around the country.

ESPN is now going to call up Okie St and see if they'll go for it.


Here's the unseemly side of all of this, and shows how much power ESPN can have when it jumps in bed with a powerful institution like Texas: It can give the sports network real leverage with other schools in the name of profit and Bevo.

While ESPN tried to make it attractive for Tech to play on the Longhorns personal network, what's to keep ESPN from playing hard ball with, say, Missouri or Baylor? You don't play on the LHN? Fine, then we won't be televising certain games you wanted down the road.

http://amarillo.com/blog-post/jon-mark-beilue/2011-08-08/tech-says-no-longhorn-network

Pac 16, here we come.....

[Blake]

Question is, how bad will it hurt UT recruiting, if at all?

not at all, imo

[Sisk]

So who is gonna be #12 for the SEC?

Anyway, if/when A&M joins, it's going to open the state of Texas up even more to SEC teams(recruiting), especially the western ones

Question is, how bad will it hurt UT recruiting, if at all?

You mean #14?

A lot of people have been saying that Virginia Tech would be offered to join the East. FSU has Florida against them. North Carolina cares more about their basketball. Clemson would be blocked by South Carolina.

[symple19]

lol, yeah ^

South Florida is another name I've heard kicked around

[romad_20]

You mean #14?

A lot of people have been saying that Virginia Tech would be offered to join the East. FSU has Florida against them. North Carolina cares more about their basketball. Clemson would be blocked by South Carolina.

I think Va Tech too. Clemson really adds nothing in recruiting or TV markets, neither does FSU. Va Tech would stretch the recruiting arms of the SEC even further.


Symple, if this goes through it probably means a move to the East for ya'll. Not that it matters to me, we play every year anyway.

[tlongII]

You mean #14?

A lot of people have been saying that Virginia Tech would be offered to join the East. FSU has Florida against them. North Carolina cares more about their basketball. Clemson would be blocked by South Carolina.

I think the SEC might dump Vandy so the conference stays at 12.

[symple19]

I think Va Tech too. Clemson really adds nothing in recruiting or TV markets, neither does FSU. Va Tech would stretch the recruiting arms of the SEC even further.


Symple, if this goes through it probably means a move to the East for ya'll. Not that it matters to me, we play every year anyway.

That would be interesting. East might be a bit overloaded, though. Auburn would still have to play bama every year, and I would hope LSU as well (although that is less likely). If they go to 14 AU would stay in the west, if Vandy gets dropped then, yeah, off to the east. Auburn has good rivalries with UF and Tenn, so those would be fun to play every year too.

Btw, I think it would be nutty to drop Vandy. They are far and away the best academic school, and very competitive in other sports like baseball and basketball. Slive better not do that

Va tech would be a welcome addition, a recruiting ground that stretches form Va to Tx would be awesome

[Blake]

Btw, I think it would be nutty to drop Vandy.

can a conference like the SEC legally/contractually drop a school?

I wouldn't think they could.

[romad_20]

can a conference like the SEC legally/contractually drop a school?

I wouldn't think they could.

I doubt they drop Vandy for academic reasons like Symple said. I have no idea about the contractual part. I personally don't want them to drop Vandy. I think that we're heading toward larger conferences anyway.

[symple19]

we're heading toward larger conferences anyway.

This.

[symple19]

can a conference like the SEC legally/contractually drop a school?

I wouldn't think they could.

My guess is they can't, and won't. You're probably right

[Doug Collins]

I doubt they drop Vandy for academic reasons like Symple said. I have no idea about the contractual part. I personally don't want them to drop Vandy. I think that we're heading toward larger conferences anyway.

I think one of the other reasons is since Vandy is a private institution it allows the conference to keep its books confidential. Similar to Baylor in the Big 12.

Not sure if that's completely true or not, but it made sense when I heard it.

[romad_20]

I think one of the other reasons is since Vandy is a private institution it allows the conference to keep its books confidential. Similar to Baylor in the Big 12.

Not sure if that's completely true or not, but it made sense when I heard it.

Hmmm, I didn't know that. Vandy is a charter member as well, I doubt they could just get rid of them

[elbamba]

can a conference like the SEC legally/contractually drop a school?

I wouldn't think they could.

They certainly have the only relevant law school in the conference. I am sure their attorneys took care of protecting them from being dropped.

[johngateswhiteley]

I think the SEC might dump Vandy so the conference stays at 12.

Thats interesting...and not a bad idea. I just doubt Slive would actually do this.

[Thompson]

They certainly have the only relevant law school in the conference. I am sure their attorneys took care of protecting them from being dropped.

I don't think you can 'drop' a school that easily, especially when they are one of the founding members of the conference.

Also, I read somewhere that conferences like to have at least one private school (like Vanderbilt), because there's some law that shields some of their financial information from the government in those cases.

I do wonder if Miami's trouble will destabilize their conference at all and allow the SEC to snag a couple from them.

[ChumpDumper]

I love these threads.

lol dump Vandy for A&M

[coyotes_geek]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/surfweasel2000/3449-scan000120copy.jpg

[ChuckD]

It's on. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/08/29/aggies.letter.big.twelve.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a4&eref=sihp)

The B12 signed HUGE TV deal last year, which some say can be voided by A&M leaving. If that happens, looks for the lawsuits to fly.