The Big12 Conundrum, Presented by Bowlsby

[WestHartHusk]

1. The Big12 just tried to (falsely) establish that talking to other schools is tortious interference, so they can hardly go calling other schools. ESPN is probably offering bonuses to any school that discloses contact from the Big12.

2. Setting aside #1, the Big12 just made themselves infinitely less desirable to other potential schools now that they realize the conference will use them as hostages and crater their value.

3. The Big12 just made their current programs untouchable by other conferences by threatening to sue, so they are all stuck. And maybe they are stuck because they bring no value, but they just confirmed for all to see.

4. The Big12 just nuked their next contract. Think they will have multiple bidders?

If you spent weeks trying to devise a way to destroy a conference, you can hardly top the strategy adopted by Bowlsby.

 

[Ha Who]

1. The Big12 just tried to (falsely) establish that talking to other schools is tortious interference, so they can hardly go calling other schools. ESPN is probably offering bonuses to any school that discloses contact from the Big12.

2. Setting aside #1, the Big12 just made themselves infinitely less desirable to other potential schools now that they realize the conference will use them as hostages and crater their value.

3. The Big12 just made their current programs untouchable by other conferences by threatening to sue, so they are all stuck. And maybe they are stuck because they bring no value, but they just confirmed for all to see.

4. The Big12 just nuked their next contract. Think they will have multiple bidders?

If you spent weeks trying to devise a way to destroy a conference, you can hardly top the strategy adopted by Bowlsby.

Did playing nice make the AAC more desirable for multiple bidders?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Did playing nice make the AAC more desirable for multiple bidders?

Exactly. This is the big time. The Big 12 has a crappy hand, but it showed it is playing to win.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Exactly. This is the big time. The Big 12 has a crappy hand, but it showed it is playing to win.

Playing to survive is more accurate.

 

[WestHartHusk]

I should have added #5: confirming there are 3-5 Big12 members that ECU, Tulsa and Tulane would prefer not associate themselves with.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Exactly. This is the big time. The Big 12 has a crappy hand, but it showed it is playing to win.

By confirming ECU, Tulsa and Tulane don’t want to associate with 3-5 of your members?

 

[Dean Wormer]

1. The Big12 just tried to (falsely) establish that talking to other schools is tortious interference, so they can hardly go calling other schools. ESPN is probably offering bonuses to any school that discloses contact from the Big12.

2. Setting aside #1, the Big12 just made themselves infinitely less desirable to other potential schools now that they realize the conference will use them as hostages and crater their value.

3. The Big12 just made their current programs untouchable by other conferences by threatening to sue, so they are all stuck. And maybe they are stuck because they bring no value, but they just confirmed for all to see.

4. The Big12 just nuked their next contract. Think they will have multiple bidders?

If you spent weeks trying to devise a way to destroy a conference, you can hardly top the strategy adopted by Bowlsby.

Unless...(dun dun dun)! They have PROOF, as Bowlsby seems to suggest. If he can prove the WWL was mucking stuff up behind the scenes, he might be able to get some funds for his dying conference. At this point what's he got to lose?

 

[WestHartHusk]

Unless...(dun dun dun)! They have PROOF, as Bowlsby seems to suggest. If he can prove the WWL was mucking stuff up behind the scenes, he might be able to get some funds for his dying conference. At this point what's he got to lose?

Him personally, nothing. The institutions, lots.

 

[Adios]

The AAC does have some advantages over the remaining Big 12 schools. However, if the Big 12 dissolves, someone is going to C-USA.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

By confirming ECU, Tulsa and Tulane don’t want to associate with 3-5 of your members?

Or the schools could keep rolling over, and see where that takes them. Is that how you go through life?

 

[WestHartHusk]

Or the schools could keep rolling over, and see where that takes them. Is that how you go through life?

We’ve all got it. You think the Big12, which just got pantsed, is brilliant.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Or the schools could keep rolling over, and see where that takes them. Is that how you go through life?

I will also note you are the “expand or die” guy. How does this help them expand to survive? This look like a group you want to jump in bed with?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

We’ve all got it. You think the Big12, which just got pantsed, is brilliant.

This gambit doesn't work as well when I have about 10 posts in the last 24 hours that say exactly the opposite.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I will also note you are the “expand or die” guy. How does this help them expand to survive? This look like a group you want to jump in bed with?

The best Bowlsby can do is try to leverage an extension of his current contract at some reasonable value with the ability to add a few teams from the AAC. That is his best case. It is not out of the question, although it is not looking good.

More likely is a merger with the AAC with pricing a lot closer to the AAC rates than Big 12's current rates.

 

[djct1999]

Exactly. This is the big time. The Big 12 has a crappy hand, but it showed it is playing to win.

Playing to win? The Big 12 just lost almost its entire stack and decided to push the rest into the middle of the table with a pair of three's. That is more frustration and impulse. Coupled together, this never leads to anything good.

I will say for this board and those of us into realignment, this is gold. Sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy. For me, I love they are sticking it to ESPN. ESPN came in and thought they can simply do what they want. Hopefully, the remaining schools go to FOX entities. That way, ESPN will be hurting for content to. Also, if true, if ESPN wanted the rest of the Big 12 to go to the American, it shows how they value those schools.

 

[WVU-FAN]

If ESPN did try to influence the AAC to poach Big 12 schools with the intent of allowing OU and Tex-ass to escape the GoR, and so ESPN to escape the LHN then ESPN is clearly guilty of a crime, now the question is can it be proven in a court of law? The Big 12 is not saying that it is illegal to talk to other schools, they are correctly saying that is criminal to undermine a contractual partner in order to escape the consequences of the contract.....ESPNs actions were an attempt to destroy the remaining Big 12 schools in order to escape contractual obligations. If the remains teams don't get P5 invites they will definitely stay together at least till 2025 to keep the contractual obligations of Tex-ass, OU, and ESPN in place.....none will defect to the AAC until after 2025....its also unlikely the remaining schools would invite new membership until after 2025. If ESPN wants to get WVU out of the Big 12 early then they had better tell the ACC to invite us because WVU to the AAC prior to 2025 is a dog that won't hunt.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[WestCoastHusky]

If ESPN did try to influence the AAC to poach Big 12 schools with the intent of allowing OU and Tex-ass to escape the GoR, and so ESPN to escape the LHN then ESPN is clearly guilty of a crime, now the question is can it be proven in a court of law? The Big 12 is not saying that it is illegal to talk to other schools, they are correctly saying that is criminal to undermine a contractual partner in order to escape the consequences of the contract.....ESPNs actions were an attempt to destroy the remaining Big 12 schools in order to escape contractual obligations. If the remains teams don't get P5 invites they will definitely stay together at least till 2025 to keep the contractual obligations of Tex-ass, OU, and ESPN in place.....none will defect to the AAC until after 2025....its also unlikely the remaining schools would invite new membership until after 2025. If ESPN wants to get WVU out of the Big 12 early then they had better tell the ACC to invite us because WVU to the AAC prior to 2025 is a dog that won't hunt.

I believe ESPiN needs 4 B12 schools to leave to get rid of that GOR for everyone. WVU to ACC could be one of the moves, the other could be finding KU a landing spot somewhere.

ESPiN also used the same tactics to destroy the old Big East. I think it is time for the government to open investigation on this evil organization that has its paws in every aspect of the college sports.

 

[SU1968]

1. The Big12 just tried to (falsely) establish that talking to other schools is tortious interference, so they can hardly go calling other schools. ESPN is probably offering bonuses to any school that discloses contact from the Big12.

2. Setting aside #1, the Big12 just made themselves infinitely less desirable to other potential schools now that they realize the conference will use them as hostages and crater their value.

3. The Big12 just made their current programs untouchable by other conferences by threatening to sue, so they are all stuck. And maybe they are stuck because they bring no value, but they just confirmed for all to see.

4. The Big12 just nuked their next contract. Think they will have multiple bidders?

If you spent weeks trying to devise a way to destroy a conference, you can hardly top the strategy adopted by Bowlsby.

"Tortious Interference". Isn't that the same claim that your Attorney General/U.S. Senator made in the lawsuit against the ACC?

 

[WestHartHusk]

"Tortious Interference". Isn't that the same claim that your Attorney General/U.S. Senator made in the lawsuit against the ACC?

Well it was UConn...and Rutgers, Pittsburg, and West Virginia. I believe the issues were improper disclosure of confidential information and conspiring to weaken the Big East.

In any event, that was dumb and this is dumb.

 

[Waquoit]

"Tortious Interference". Isn't that the same claim that your Attorney General/U.S. Senator made in the lawsuit against the ACC?

Late to the party, skeezix.

 

[CL82]

f ESPN did try to influence the AAC to poach Big 12 schools with the intent of allowing OU and Tex-ass to escape the GoR, and so ESPN to escape the LHN then ESPN is clearly guilty of a crime

 

[WVU-FAN]

Well if ESPN does want the Big 12 to dissolve before 2025 then they better use their power to compell the ACC, B1G and PAC to invite the remaining 8 schools because prior to the contracts expiring in 2025, that would be the only way the conference will dissolve before hand.

 

[billybud]

The Big 12 was a convoy being escorted by their two battlewagons with subs circling to pick off their ships.

The battlewagons struck their flags, hauled up the flag of the enemy and took off while signalling that it was every ship for itself.

 

[billybud]

I don't think that the Big 12 will dissolve before 2025....but I would not be surprised to see other Big 12 programs announce that they were not going to sign a new GOR and announce, down the road, that they were applying to XXX Conference for admittal consideration.