UL using political pressure to get into the B12 ahead of the BE

[WestCoastHusky]

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...st/2011/10/louisville-west-virginia-big-12-/1

If we have to stay in the BE, I much rather we have WVU than UL. UL is trying to get into the B12 via the back door. This is not over yet.

 

[flyonthewall]

Well if UL then what happens to the BE because there were reports a while back that the BB schools would split if UL left.

 

[Hoophound]

I bet WVU and UL go. No way they indian give on WVU at this point. If that happens, the whole Cincy discussion gets opened up I'm sure.

 

[BBNBE]

What pressure could they apply?!? It s nothing like the UVa-VT situation back in 04.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Mitch McConnell is one of the most powerful men in Washington, and of the same party as the delegations from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Mitch McConnell is one of the most powerful men in Washington, and of the same party as the delegations from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

He is also an UL football season ticket holder and a fan. He is using his connections to pressure OU president Boren in helping UL get in over WVU. The fact they are fighting for #10 means B12 will stop at 10. I also would much prefer WVU staying vs. UL but BE has no say in this matter right now.

I wish some politician would push for a BE/B12 merger and leave no one out but we all know every school is out for themselves so this won't happen.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

All of the reports have put the blame on the Kentucky political pressure. But I am wondering if the following scenario occured as well:

It was widely reported that Texas wanted UL over WVU. However, Neinas probably told WVU that they were being invited because they had enough votes to approve them over UL as the 10th team (with the votes from all other B12 schools enought to offset the Texas no votes). However, knowing Texas' thoughts on this and their ego...they may have forced the issue and said "if you take WVU instead of UL, then we are not agreeing to the terms to keep the Big 12 together." Based on Texas' reputation and history, I would not put it past them to pull a power move like that at all. Everyone knows that Texas dictates the Big 12 policies and they will not relinquish their power. Texas gets what Texas wants (which is why Colorado, Nebraska, aTm, Missouri have all left now).

I haven't seen this scenario reported anywhere at all. But I would not be surprised if this is the way it went down and Texas and their 'sources' are laying blame at the Kentucky politicians feet for a convenient scape goat.

 

[Section205]

Political pressure....sounds familiar doesn't it?

 

[businesslawyer]

H

All of the reports have put the blame on the Kentucky political pressure. But I am wondering if the following scenario occured as well:

It was widely reported that Texas wanted UL over WVU. However, Neinas probably told WVU that they were being invited because they had enough votes to approve them over UL as the 10th team (with the votes from all other B12 schools enought to offset the Texas no votes). However, knowing Texas' thoughts on this and their ego...they may have forced the issue and said "if you take WVU instead of UL, then we are not agreeing to the terms to keep the Big 12 together." Based on Texas' reputation and history, I would not put it past them to pull a power move like that at all. Everyone knows that Texas dictates the Big 12 policies and they will not relinquish their power. Texas gets what Texas wants (which is why Colorado, Nebraska, aTm, Missouri have all left now).

I haven't seen this scenario reported anywhere at all. But I would not be surprised if this is the way it went down and Texas and their 'sources' are laying blame at the Kentucky politicians feet for a convenient scape goat.

Here is why that would surprise me. By all indications, they are currently negotiating for Mizzou to stay. What is the point of that if, while you're doing it, you are at the same time saying no one's opinion but mine counts?

But who knows any more

 

[BBNBE]

He is also an UL football season ticket holder and a fan. He is using his connections to pressure OU president Boren in helping UL get in over WVU. The fact they are fighting for #10 means B12 will stop at 10. I also would much prefer WVU staying vs. UL but BE has no say in this matter right now.

I wish some politician would push for a BE/B12 merger and leave no one out but we all know every school is out for themselves so this won't happen.

In state political pressures are a lot different. Virginia s Governor controls a lot of purse strings among other incentives that forced UVa s hand. I see the drift, but i m not buying it.

 

[Excalibur]

UL is #BeggingHarder

 

[businesslawyer]

Well, if McConnell is now involved it's time for Blumenthal to walk into his office and talk about bipartisan ways to stop all of this.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

My theory:

Oklahoma and Texas have been going at it for months now, first over the LHN, then over Beebe, and then over expansion. Oklahoma is 2-0 so far, because they basically have the rest of the Big 12 in their pocket because Texas is so universally hated, and Texas has a high pain threshold on this stuff as long as they can keep their LHN. Oklahoma has publicly stated they want 12 members, and Texas wants 10. Oklahoma may have manufactured a stalemate to force invitations to both and then throw Cincinnati into the mix to round it out.

Just a theory.

 

[RS9999X]

I don't think its that deep. It's the Missouri mess. If Missouri announced I'd agree. Now it's game playing and every team is out for themselves.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

My theory:

Oklahoma and Texas have been going at it for months now, first over the LHN, then over Beebe, and then over expansion. Oklahoma is 2-0 so far, because they basically have the rest of the Big 12 in their pocket because Texas is so universally hated, and Texas has a high pain threshold on this stuff as long as they can keep their LHN. Oklahoma has publicly stated they want 12 members, and Texas wants 10. Oklahoma may have manufactured a stalemate to force invitations to both and then throw Cincinnati into the mix to round it out.

Just a theory.

I disagree with going to 12 for the B12. The TV deal is set at 10 and they just replaced Missouri and A&M with TCU and UL/WVU, there is no way TV guys gonna pay the same per team if they go to 12 with UL, WVU and Cincy. There is also no way Texas and OU would want to take a pay cut just to go to 12 unless the B12 championship somehow made up for it. By losing A&M and Missouri, B12 just lost 2 huge TV markets and there is no way UL or WVU can replace that.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I disagree with going to 12 for the B12. The TV deal is set at 10 and they just replaced Missouri and A&M with TCU and UL/WVU, there is no way TV guys gonna pay the same per team if they go to 12 with UL, WVU and Cincy. There is also no way Texas and OU would want to take a pay cut just to go to 12 unless the B12 championship somehow made up for it. By losing A&M and Missouri, B12 just lost 2 huge TV markets and there is no way UL or WVU can replace that.

They will get the money easily. Snap of the fingers. It's only $20MM per school. In this market, that is peanuts.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Latest update:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/weiss/2011/10/west-virginia-to-big-12-a-done-deal-not-so-fast

Both schools are scheduled to make formal pitches this week. Word out of Austin is that three of four Big 12 schools on the expansion board now favor the 'Ville.

 

[flyonthewall]

Well, if McConnell is now involved it's time for Blumenthal to walk into his office and talk about bipartisan ways to stop all of this.

I could imagine that conversation:

Hello ACC and Swofford.

Dickie Blumenthal here.

I am the guy who sued you a few years ago but now I want to make nice.

Click.

Hello, hello...

 

[businesslawyer]

The "guy" who sued them is the President of their newest member -- the University of Pittsburgh. So I guess that admission must have been done entirely by email.

And maybe in your dreams you hang up the phone on U.S. Senators, but normal people don't.

Are you here for a reason?

 

[WestCoastHusky]

I say it is time for our senators to get involved in this process. If B12 somehow take UL, WVU and Cincy, it would really leave schools and UCONN and RU out hang to dry. I really hope it won't get to that point.

 

[RS9999X]

Joe Lieberman:

I'm thinking a surge would help settle things. Donald Rumsfeld has my support as the new BCS Commissioner and Dick Cheney at the NCAA. The Al Queda element at ESPN and their War of Terror must be contained.

 

[flyonthewall]

The "guy" who sued them is the President of their newest member -- the University of Pittsburgh. So I guess that admission must have been done entirely by email.

And maybe in your dreams you hang up the phone on U.S. Senators, but normal people don't.

Are you here for a reason?

Jeez, could you lighten up and recognize something posted in part as tongue in cheek?

Of course, Blumenthal would be extended the courtesies that one is expected to extend to a senator but if you think that would be more than a polite hearing that is unlikely because there are more senators in states that like the conference situation than in those who don't and it still takes 60 votes to get anything thru the senate last time I looked.

As to my being here for a 'reason' that is the key word, reason. Just because I do not drink the kool-aid and automatically parrot the line that UConn should absolutely be at the top of the expansion list for every conference in existence or to be created does not make me a troll. UConn like every school out there has its plusses and minuses as far as going to a new conference and if I try to point out the other side of things whether about UConn, other BE schools like Rutgers, TV contracts, etc. from time to time and that offends you then please stop reading and responding to my posts.

 

[Excalibur]

Fly, spare us the self-righteous "reason" bullsh!+

 

[businesslawyer]

Jeez, could you lighten up and recognize something posted in part as tongue in cheek?

Of course, Blumenthal would be extended the courtesies that one is expected to extend to a senator but if you think that would be more than a polite hearing that is unlikely because there are more senators in states that like the conference situation than in those who don't and it still takes 60 votes to get anything thru the senate last time I looked.

As to my being here for a 'reason' that is the key word, reason. Just because I do not drink the kool-aid and automatically parrot the line that UConn should absolutely be at the top of the expansion list for every conference in existence or to be created does not make me a troll. UConn like every school out there has its plusses and minuses as far as going to a new conference and if I try to point out the other side of things whether about UConn, other BE schools like Rutgers, TV contracts, etc. from time to time and that offends you then please stop reading and responding to my posts.

So if you're not a troll why is Nordenberg led Pittsburgh in? Why is Syracuse in when their Chancellor called Leahy a liar in a public forum? If you want to convince anyone you aren't a troll, maybe once acknowledging the side of an argument other than "we suck" and "we're screwed" would get you there.

 

[Druken Friar]

We could start a petition on FB asking the justice department to file an antitrust lawsuit against the BCS. Hey, it worked for Utah, right.