SEC Accepts A&M...but with a condition

[Aughnanure]

SEC accepts A&M, but with a condition that the remaining Big 12 schools offer no roadblocks to the Aggies departure.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/09/texas-a38m-accepts-southeastern-conference-with-condition/1


.....Well looks like Baylor wants to be that condition.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6939017/texas-aggies-accepted-sec-legal-threat-delays-move


This is still just a delay, once A&M falls Oklahoma and Missouri will be the next dominoes.

[Aughnanure]

Texas is attempting one last hail mary to save the conference (more to save its Longhorn Network which would have to be worked into the PAC regional network structure).

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/09/07/texas-and-the-pac-12-its-not-really-about-the-longhorn-network/

[Aughnanure]

One more thing, this was being discussed a lot yesterday - Texas started sniffing around the ACC, basically trying to save the LHN and to potentially have more political power in a conference.

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1261031

[GGGG]

The best thing A&M can hope for if it wants to leave is that the other schools stay behind.  Baylor would drop its threat of a lawsuit pretty quickly if it can be assured that the B12 would stay around.

[Aughnanure]

The best thing A&M can hope for if it wants to leave is that the other schools stay behind.  Baylor would drop its threat of a lawsuit pretty quickly if it can be assured that the B12 would stay around.

Have to disagree, that the last thing A&M wants. If the Big 12 dissolves then they don't have to pay the $25-28 million they owe for leaving the conference since there will be no conference. Baylor can't really do much with this, word is A&M is announcing regardless tomorrow.

[GGGG]

But Baylor would have an argument that they could sue both the SEC and the Pac-whatever for contractural interference if it is substantially harmed  by the other conference's actions.  That *potentially* could be worth a hell of a lot more than $25-28M.  At this point, A&M is likely resigned itself to pay that anyway.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Face it Baylor, your going to the Mt. West.

[Litehouse]

Texas is attempting one last hail mary to save the conference (more to save its Longhorn Network which would have to be worked into the PAC regional network structure).

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/09/07/texas-and-the-pac-12-its-not-really-about-the-longhorn-network/

This article mentions Pitt and Louisville to the Ever Diminishing 12 as a possibility.  Why would they want to get in the middle of that mess?

[Aughnanure]

This article mentions Pitt and Louisville to the Ever Diminishing 12 as a possibility.  Why would they want to get in the middle of that mess?

They wont, author is just throwing darts. Texas really wants to keep the LHN, this author's argument that the "culture" would be the reason is absolutely wrong, that's why they've contacted the ACC, hoping they would allow them to bring their network.  Oklahoma and Texas would have to really convince these teams that they are staying, and I'm not sure anyone cam believe them.

Texas is going to have make a decision soon - Go Independent and keep LHN vs stay in conference (Big 12, PAC or B1G) and lose the network they've worked 4 years to create.

[Litehouse]

Someone mentioned the scenario of Texas coming along to the Big East in everything but football, similar to ND's arrangement.  Based on all the talk of the importance of the Longhorn Network to Texas, that could turn out to be a real possibility.

[Rubie Q]

But Baylor would have an argument that they could sue both the SEC and the Pac-whatever for contractural interference if it is substantially harmed  by the other conference's actions.  That *potentially* could be worth a hell of a lot more than $25-28M.  At this point, A&M is likely resigned itself to pay that anyway.

I don't see how Baylor gets around the liquidated damages provision in the Big XII contract. If the penalty for leaving is set at $25-$28 million, and everybody agreed to that, how can Baylor argue for greater damages?

[79Warrior]

Someone mentioned the scenario of Texas coming along to the Big East in everything but football, similar to ND's arrangement.  Based on all the talk of the importance of the Longhorn Network to Texas, that could turn out to be a real possibility.

That makes no sense. The BE does not want/need another basketball only member. They want football. The Longhorn Network does what for the BE?

[Aughnanure]

That makes no sense. The BE does not want/need another basketball only member. They want football. The Longhorn Network does what for the BE?

I think the reason would be if the Big East splits with all the shuffling. BYU, Notre Dame and Texas would want a conference to keep their other sports. Add in Army, Navy and possibly Air Force (they have expressed interest in the past, but complain about how hard it is to do it where they are geographically) and thats a start. The more independents there are the easier it is for the those independents to stay independent.

W/ BYU & Air Force maybe you are stretched too much, but you could add in Gonzaga and maybe UNLV & Memphis if they want to be in a viable basketball conference. Then split into divisions

[Aughnanure]

I don't see how Baylor gets around the liquidated damages provision in the Big XII contract. If the penalty for leaving is set at $25-$28 million, and everybody agreed to that, how can Baylor argue for greater damages?

I think Baylor wants to make sure they get paid before this disintegrates. They may go from getting $20 million a year in TV revenue to less than $5 million. Can't blame them for looking out for #1, but they can't really stop the move.

[Clarence]

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2011/09/_planned_press_conference_part.php

[Rubie Q]

I think Baylor wants to make sure they get paid before this disintegrates. They may go from getting $20 million a year in TV revenue to less than $5 million. Can't blame them for looking out for #1, but they can't really stop the move.

And I think -- or hope, I guess -- that they realize that the most they can do is sue to enforce the terms of the "out clause" of the Big XII contract. I agree that they're probably just trying to slow things down to try to get their ducks in order before the zero hour hits.

[Bocephys]

Face it Baylor, your going to the Mt. West.

Those of us in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

[kmwtrucks]

I do wonder it Texas joined in all other sports along with a few of the Big 12 left over's Kansas, Kansas st, Mizz.  would they kick out one of the other 8 BBALL only schools?  I always felt that 12 and 8 would be where we would be at.  Would you rather have Baylor or TCU?

[Aughnanure]

Those of us in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

This.

[Aughnanure]

I do wonder it Texas joined in all other sports along with a few of the Big 12 left over's Kansas, Kansas st, Mizz.  would they kick out one of the other 8 BBALL only schools?  I always felt that 12 and 8 would be where we would be at.  Would you rather have Baylor or TCU?

I don't think its as simple as people say it is to "kick out" the basketball schools. Notre Dame has significant power and its in their interest to keep the BBall school around, voting power is still equal and the schools that created this conference (esp Providence and GTown) hold a lot of cache. More likely is that the football schools will have to leave and create a new conference. BBall schools will then keep Big East name.

[tower912]

Yeah, but Buzz looks like a genius for not leaving.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Those of us in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

Baylor screwed TCU in 1995.

[Warriors10]

Baylor screwed TCU in 1995.

And SMU.

Interesting article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/big_east_thinking_big_ou8JdQKJUhWEeCUtGv7dNP

[Litehouse]

More likely is that the football schools will have to leave and create a new conference. BBall schools will then keep Big East name.

We'd also keep the conference tourney at MSG, the NCAA auto-bid, and split all the cash the football schools pay for exit fees.  But after that we'd be screwed.

[bilsu]

We'd also keep the conference tourney at MSG, the NCAA auto-bid, and split all the cash the football schools pay for exit fees.  But after that we'd be screwed.

I may be wrong, but I believe if enough schools leave at once there is no buyout.