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'We belong in the Big 12'
>>There’s a good reason that Fertitta is skeptical of talk. He, and the University of Houston, have been screwed before.
In 1996, the Southwest Conference folded. When the Big 12 was formed, some political maneuvering kept Houston out. It sent interest in the athletic department into a tailspin that the program is still recovering from in many ways. Three years ago, the Big 12 talked about expanding. Houston was considered a lead contender. It all ended up just being talk.
“It’s a shame. We belong in the Big 12,” Fertitta said. “All those people a couple years ago said they were going to help us and it was all talk and it was all bullshit. We want to be in one of the major Power Five conferences.
“We start the season out $30 million less than all the big schools have to play just on TV, just that alone. Give us that $30 million, we’re on a much fairer playing level.”
The common thought is that the Texas schools are holding Houston out to try and prevent Houston from competing on an equal playing field with them. Fertitta buys into that theory.
“It appears that way,” Fertitta said. “It’s disappointing but simple facts speak for themselves. Why would you want another school that can compete for that athlete? You can tell a kid in Houston, hey, you have the ability to go home and have dinner with your family on Sunday. Friends and relatives can all come out and see you. I understand.”
Fertitta leans back in the car and looks out the window while acknowledging that Houston might have look outside the Big 12 to join a Power Five conference because of the politics. He also mentions that conference doesn’t matter too much; Houston can still make a playoff case down the road. “You just can’t stumble at all.”
Regardless of the conference, realignment is on the horizon. The Big 12’s Grant of Rights expires in 2025, and no one knows what will happen after that. Other conferences could shift even sooner. Just this year, UConn announced that it was leaving the American Athletic Conference. Other moves will happen down the road. <<
>>There’s a good reason that Fertitta is skeptical of talk. He, and the University of Houston, have been screwed before.
In 1996, the Southwest Conference folded. When the Big 12 was formed, some political maneuvering kept Houston out. It sent interest in the athletic department into a tailspin that the program is still recovering from in many ways. Three years ago, the Big 12 talked about expanding. Houston was considered a lead contender. It all ended up just being talk.
“It’s a shame. We belong in the Big 12,” Fertitta said. “All those people a couple years ago said they were going to help us and it was all talk and it was all bullshit. We want to be in one of the major Power Five conferences.
“We start the season out $30 million less than all the big schools have to play just on TV, just that alone. Give us that $30 million, we’re on a much fairer playing level.”
The common thought is that the Texas schools are holding Houston out to try and prevent Houston from competing on an equal playing field with them. Fertitta buys into that theory.
“It appears that way,” Fertitta said. “It’s disappointing but simple facts speak for themselves. Why would you want another school that can compete for that athlete? You can tell a kid in Houston, hey, you have the ability to go home and have dinner with your family on Sunday. Friends and relatives can all come out and see you. I understand.”
Fertitta leans back in the car and looks out the window while acknowledging that Houston might have look outside the Big 12 to join a Power Five conference because of the politics. He also mentions that conference doesn’t matter too much; Houston can still make a playoff case down the road. “You just can’t stumble at all.”
Regardless of the conference, realignment is on the horizon. The Big 12’s Grant of Rights expires in 2025, and no one knows what will happen after that. Other conferences could shift even sooner. Just this year, UConn announced that it was leaving the American Athletic Conference. Other moves will happen down the road. <<
