The Longhorn Network is killing the Big 12

[tometom]

Yea, a lot of moving pieces on this whole deal. I didn't even really think about the TV deals that each conference has and ESPN's role in the matter.

Going back, I agree that High School sports on a College network should be banned by the NCAA. I guess that is what you guys mentioned earlier.

As far as A&M moving. I remember when Nebraska moved to the Big 10, they had to apply for membership to the Big 10, the Big 10 wasn't going to invite them, it was purely a formality, but I wonder if A&M needs to do something similar. Also, it's already August, so even if A&M wants to move they need to wait at least until 2013 unless they want some really stiff penalties. Nebraska moved gave a full year notice, but A&M has already passed that point.

Another thing that I've been trying to figure out, what happens if the Big 12 just dissolves completely? Do the schools have to pay the penalties? Does that money go to the schools that wanted to keep it together, Kansas, KState, Iowa State, Baylor?

Another thing, I think TX would have to go independent if the Big 12 falls apart. With their own network, I don't think any other conference is going to want them. I don't think the Big 10 wants them because geographically speaking they are just too out of alignment. I think the Big 10 will look east in expansion, Syracuse, Rutgers, try to get ND again.

Anyway, I have some more thoughts on the matter, but probably should get back to work.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Originally Posted by greenman

BYU is a no brainer. They would gain access to a BCS conference, and would still be able to keep their own network (yes, they do have a LDS network). Plus they have a built in national following.

I'm not sure that Houston or SMU add anything other and bodybags for Texas and OU every year. They bring in no additional TV sets ($$$).



If the Big 12 wants to survive, this won't be a problem. They already moved the basketball championship to Saturday a few years ago.

Good point. If it saves football money they'll do it.

[sooner82]

Originally Posted by greenman

I'm not sure that Houston or SMU add anything other and bodybags for Texas and OU every year. They bring in no additional TV sets ($$$).

I agree on SMU. I think even though the city of Houston is already in the Big12, adding a Texas team is probably necessary to help make up for the lost TV sets that aTm will take with them. At this point, they're just trying to stop the bleeding and don't have many options. Houston has been a semi-respectable mid major that consistently makes bowl games. Given that they are right in heart of Texas HS football, I can see them improving through recruiting once they get their BCS badge.

Originally Posted by lipman

Best Case: aTm heads to the SEC, who also grabs Missouri, FSU, and Clemson...or 3 other teams). The move to Super Conferences has begun. The Pac 12, Big 10, and ACC all see the tea leaves and start making power plays. Pac 10 adds Boise, OU, OSU, and BYU (I know, they would never add BYU, but just play along!). Big 10 moves next, and with the age of the super conference dawning, they are finally able to convince ND to jump on board. With that move, the Big 10 is also able to convince Texas. After that, they add Rutgers and Syracuse. ACC takes their pick of the Big East and Big 12 remaining schools to end up with 16 as well. That leaves 5 universities out of the Super Conferences (by my scenario, Baylor, Iowa State, Cincy, Louisville, and Pittsburgh). The 4 major conferences get together to define a new Division 1, complete with a playoff. Each conference has two 8 team divisions, the winners of those divisions play each other in the conference championsip game that acts as the 1st round of an 8 team playoff.

This is probably where things are headed. If the SEC goes to 14 or 16, it's going to ask for a 2nd automatic BCS bid and that will get the ball rolling on an 8-team playoff. I don't see ND joining in unless they see the value of the NBC contract diminish - and NBC has thrown truly stupid money at them [and is more than willing to keep it up]. If anything, I see ND going the Texas route and forming its own network.

What I could actually see happening is "football-only" conferences getting formed.

[sooner82]

Kstate is next in line for their own network. Its an online only network, but I think its a sign that the Big12 schools fully intend to keep the conference alive.

Kansas State officials will launch a high-definition, digital, school network on Aug. 30, called K-StateHD.TV. The network will be available online and will be the carrier for the Wildcats’ Sept. 3 season opener against Eastern Kentucky, school officials announced today.

Although the K-State network will not be backed by a rights fee from a major TV network like ESPN’s partnership with Texas’ Longhorn Network, it will serve a similar purpose as LHN in efforts to brand its school on a “world-wide” basis, said K-State president Kirk Schulz.

Much of the on-demand programming will be free but there will be a charge for live athletic events and other premium content. The cost for all-access users is $9.95 per month or $79.95 per year.

[Actuary321]

Originally Posted by greenman

BYU is a no brainer. They would gain access to a BCS conference, and would still be able to keep their own network (yes, they do have a LDS network). Plus they have a built in national following.

I'm not sure that Houston or SMU add anything other and bodybags for Texas and OU every year. They bring in no additional TV sets ($$$).



If the Big 12 wants to survive, this won't be a problem. They already moved the basketball championship to Saturday a few years ago.

Just to clarify, the network is called BYUtv. They just dedicated their new broadcast studios just east of the Marriott Center (basketball arena) which is just east of their baseball/softball complex which is just east of their track stadium which is just south of their football stadium. All very close to the broadcast studios which are full HDTV ready.

Their current ESPN contract allows them to do same-day rebroadcasts of football games that are on ESPN. BYUtv is available on DirecTV and Dish and tons of cable systems throughout the nation. The big question at this point is just how they are going to make money on the BYUtv broadcasts. Those don't normally have commercials. They run it more like most PBS types stations.

[greenman]

Originally Posted by sooner82

Kstate is next in line for their own network. Its an online only network, but I think its a sign that the Big12 schools fully intend to keep the conference alive.

Not that you are doing this, but to compare that to the LHN is laughable.

What K-State is doing is nothing new. Nebraska has had a pay webchannel (HuskerInside) where you can watch a some olympic sporting events and all the press conferences and coaches shows for 5-10 years. I think they even put the spring game on there once or twice.

And of course K-State wants to keep the Big 12 alive. They'll bend over and take it from Texas w/o lube because they have nowhere else to go.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Actuary321

Just to clarify, the network is called BYUtv. They just dedicated their new broadcast studios just east of the Marriott Center (basketball arena) which is just east of their baseball/softball complex which is just east of their track stadium which is just south of their football stadium. All very close to the broadcast studios which are full HDTV ready.

Their current ESPN contract allows them to do same-day rebroadcasts of football games that are on ESPN. BYUtv is available on DirecTV and Dish and tons of cable systems throughout the nation. The big question at this point is just how they are going to make money on the BYUtv broadcasts. Those don't normally have commercials. They run it more like most PBS types stations.

Yeah, it is also way up in the religious channel section, since the vast majority of their programming is (or at least has been) of that nature. I honestly wonder how many non-mormon college sports fans are even going to remember that the channel is out there.

[Ginormous76]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Yeah, it is also way up in the religious channel section, since the vast majority of their programming is (or at least has been) of that nature. I honestly wonder how many non-mormon college sports fans are even going to remember that the channel is out there.

How many non-Mormon college sports fans are fans of BYU?

[Actuary321]

Originally Posted by Ginormous76

How many non-Mormon college sports fans are fans of BYU?

Well, there is a chance that some opposing fans may not get ESPN-2 or ESPN-U (where many of the BYU games will probably end up) but will get BYUtv where they can watch the same-day rebroadcast if they are made aware of it.

Of course, we hope they absentmindedly leave it there and see some of our other wonderful programming, too.