Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="pj, post: 1617286, member: 2524"] The surprise would be if they weren't talking. No one makes a huge, long-term, $30-50 million per year decision without investigating alternatives. If they are looking at B12 with and without a network, they are looking at opportunities outside the B12 as well. They are surely talking to SEC and Pac as well. Things that it would be good to know: [LIST] [*]How do Oklahoma and the B1G perceive timing? Is the GoR solid, is 2025 close enough that they can wait out an unsatisfactory B12 situation and don't need to challenge it? [*]Is OU negotiating B12 expansion to improve their own conference, or just to leave their kid brother institutions better situated when they exit? An Oklahoma exit, reducing the conference below 10 and letting the networks terminate the contract, would be disastrous for Ok State, K State, Iowa State, etc. [*]Who would be their partner to the B1G? OU would be a bit of a geographical outlier without Kansas. On the other hand UConn would be a more valuable partner. [*]Would UConn to the B12 prevent UConn to the B1G. If OU can leave B12 for B1G then UConn could too, but it would be costlier than moving from the AAC, unless the B12 is being voluntarily dissolved with many simultaneous departures. If the B1G is seriously interested in UConn, they would probably look for some kind of temporary arrangement (full sports in all but football, scheduling program in football, football entry when OU is available). [*]Can they get OSU to the SEC, improving the position of both schools if OU goes B1G? Would SEC be willing to take two Oklahoma schools? Probably not. [*]What are the options Texas is exploring? As Texas is tied to ESPN via LHN, they would presumably look at SEC or ACC. Presumably a ND-like deal with ACC, keeping LHN but adding Tier 1 football to LHN to make it profitable, would be the most attractive model. [*]Is the talk of a B12 network substantial or just a smokescreen? It's hard to see how a B12 network could possibly be competitive with SEC or B1G membership, the conference footprint is just too small. Is failed network negotiations going to be the cover for moves to B1G and SEC? [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach