Texas Realignment Press Conference: Preserving The Status Quo

It seems like UT’s got the same strategic outlook that I do on this, and the last three months of endless discussion on this topic have made me well aware of the weaknesses in the position. It ain’t bulletproof. It’s definitely a calculated gamble, and a very strong play of our hand. Definitely more risk, with more potential reward.

And you’re right: we won’t know for years whether it’s the right play or not.

You could have joined the Big Ten and earned at least $23-25M per year, plus stability and likely a lot more 5 years from now when the BTN was implemented in the state of Texas. You’ve basically accepted the same amount of money, perhaps less depending how how the Longhorn Network shakes out, via a less stable entity.

Not to say this wasn’t the right choice for Texas, based on your all’s reaction I assume it was, but there was money left on the table.

But Texas never committed to joining any other conferences. A bunch of scenarios were being kicked around and Texas chose what seemingly is the best deal financially for them. I especially don’t understand how the SEC is involved, given the only thing we cost them was the addition of A&M which, any way you cut it, is no power house program to bring in money.

Seems most people are just annoyed Texas has so much political power in that Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and to (apparently) a lesser extent Texas A&M following them wherever they go. It seems to me like pure envy, but I suppose it would since I’m a Texas fan.

I think those championing this decision, PB included, are looking at this from an intellectually-intriguing, game theory standpoint: what move will make Texas the most money in the long run?

But dissolving that context for a moment, one has to realize that it is entirely possible that the move which simply earns Bellmont Hall (marginally, mind you) the most substantial potential for financial profit may overlap the move that is the worst for students, alumni, and fans… and possibly college football in general.

In other words, why should any one of us care if the Texas athletic department makes (slightly) more money? Should we not care more about the academic future of the University and the product we put on the field, because those are the only factors that affect any of us.

A move to the PAC-16 would have dramatically improved both, and yes, it was near the In N Out Burger…a few beers, few laughs… there was plenty money, as well. Instead, we’ve thrown away both for a relatively insignificant higher percentage money.

Peter, it sounds almost as if you’ve grown into a position based on purely abstract intellectual incentives. Its as though you are sound-minded enough to see the best move for Texas based solely on athletic profits, and based on those parameters you are “cheering” for the University, trying to see if they’re clever enough to see this strategy and get it done, because, on principle, you’d be disappointed if they didn’t make the most profitable move possible.

But is that abstraction really beneficially to the students, alumni, and athletic product? Wouldn’t it serve a greater breadth of causes to sacrifice a fraction of income to improve those other things? Because it seems we’ve been convinced to sacrifice anything that might actually benefit us so that our facilities can be upgraded more easily and our coaches’ salaries can improve.

is probably keeping Texas and OU at the very top of the polls. One marque win is usually enough for short-minded voters. The problem is if one of those schools rebuilds for even one year, and all of the sudden the conference appears very weak.

It’s always been about the tone at the top, look at the SEC last year as an example. After the two divisional champions there was a major drop, the respect continued.

I agree. If at the time of realignment into real super power conferences, UT is waning due to a poor selection of head coaches or whatever then we lose our bargaining position which is at its apex today.

In addition, UT for years was the huge frog (not to be confused with the horned frogs) in the SWC pond and look what it got us. We became complacent to beat our rvials, obtain bragging rights around the State of Tx and got stomped in whatever bowl we played. The Big 12 this last year ran neck-and-neck with the SEC as the best football conference. Now it drops to arguably 4th.

The Big 10 and Pac 10 now will have a championship game while we sit at home (along with the high school recruits) and watch as their teams are spotlighted and ours student athletes diligently study for finals.

While I loved the SWC its overall out-of-conferecne competitiveness toward the end was dismal and i hope such does not happen to the Big 12.

The networks (ESPN, FOX, etc.) need content to fill their ever expanding air time. If four big conferences form and start their own networks (like the Pac 10 was going to do), there will not be enough content and these stations will have to pay way too much for the rights. It is worth it to them to “overpay” in order to keep the market the way it is.

Until Nebraska left, it was not clear that the Big XII was going to fall. Also, with two fewer teams, the deal can be 15% smaller and still end up being more per school.

exclusively built on winning with huge corn-fed white guys

Awesome insight, as always.

Why would Utah commit to becoming one of Texas’ minions when they could go to the Pac XX and be considered an equal while making at least as much money as they would under the Big 12’s new revenue sharing agreement?

megaconferences would lead to the loss of tax-exempt status for athletic departments and the eventual payment of players, which would be disastrous to the current model…

That’s ridiculous.

yes, they screwed us over. But A&M did not want to go to the Pac-10. It wasn’t just about following big brother. It was a bad fit for them culturally, while SEC was a better fit.

for anyone out there watching the conference, please post anything here worth mentioning

10 team seems definite, so any chances of adding replacements are slim to none.

it’s like we’re trying to save face.

and thats what they are saying, that the press should ask him, as he knows more about it than they do

rec’d

well no information at all from this press conference, but screw it

We are Texas! We will own anyone anywhere

Texas replays old sports, people pay to watch those sports.
People talk about Texas sports, people pay to watch those people talk about Texas sports.

Any questions?

They have a great team and deserve to be in Omaha. I think both teams got hosed by having to play in the Supers instead of in Omaha.