UT/OU Update

by 54b on May 4, 2006 4:57 PM CDT

UT and OU to keep series in Dallas thru 2010. Here's the story from DallasNews.com:

Texas and Oklahoma officials have agreed to a new five-year contract that will keep their football series at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas until 2010, a source close to the negotiations said. Both schools had a current deal that ran through 2008, but both teams could opt out of the contract after the 2007 game. This new deal would effectively replace the old one and begin this season, the source said.
An official announcement could come either late today or Friday.
Rumors have swirled about the future of the Red River Rivalry, a game that's been an annual Dallas tradition since 1929.
In late January, the Oklahoma board of regents gave athletic director Joe Castiglione permission to seek a long-term deal. Texas' position, however, was unknown. School officials there said something would be known by late May.
UT and OU officials have asked the city to make substantial upgrades to the aging facility. City officials have proposed a $50-million renovation that would push capacity beyond 90,000. But both schools were willing to move the series to a home-and-home basis.

I guess it wasn't over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor.

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No doubt

But the story, as it stands now, doesn't answer one crucial question...why? Why did Deloss just up and say "okay, we'll do it?" Why 2010?

I'm sure we'll find out in the coming days, but believe me, our city council hasn't guaranteed that they'll do $50 million in rennovations to the Cotton Bowl. That's still just a proposal.

I still contend this thing is all about money, but obviously, I could be wrong as it doesn't appear the Cotton Bowl, no matter what rennovations they make to it, will ever be able to generate the same revenue as a home and home series would. Not unless UT and OU got some serious TV money from the networks or kickbacks from the City of Dallas to keep it here.

And I'm pretty sure this latest news puts all doubts to rest that this is about recruiting advantages or disadvantages.

by 54b on May 4, 2006 5:45 PM CDT reply actions

No improvements

No improvements were promissed by the city to reach this deal. It is simply a temporary extention. It buys the city some time to think about the benefits the game brings to the town and allows the schools to continue to look for the best option or alternative.

Austin Paper:

The Texas-Oklahoma football game will remain at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas at least through 2010 under a five-year contract announced Thursday.

The new deal, which does not mandate that improvements be made to the 75-year-old stadium, adds two years to the deal that would've expired in 2008. Texas officials have been hinting for months that, barring major renovations to the Cotton Bowl, they were prepared to see the game move to a home-and-home series.

Here's what the two school's athletic directors said in a joint press release put out by the two schools:

Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds: "We have enjoyed a long and storied relationship with the State Fair of Texas. The experience has been wonderful. The game is a tradition. We have a great working relationship with State Fair officials and I credit President Errol McKoy and Pete Schenkel (Dallas businessman and former chairman of the State Fair of Texas) for making this extension a reality."

Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione: "The OU-Texas game represents one of the great traditions of college football, largely because of its location in Dallas, a neutral location for both universities, and the unique atmosphere that exists at the State Fair. It is also unique in that both universities are allowed an equal number of seats for their fans which adds to the excitement of the event. "Obviously, we cannot put aside the practical aspects, but we sense commitment from our partners and other constituents in Dallas and are anxious to work toward an agreement that can address our very real concerns, while preserving the greatness of this event."

by Lincoln on May 4, 2006 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

the $50 million

is mostly just to expand the stadium to about 90,000 capacity. Almost none of it will go toward increasing the actual quality of the stadium.

...til Gabriel blows his horn

by BigTexBD on May 4, 2006 6:09 PM CDT reply actions

except

I believe new restrooms/plumbing are part of it. Every year, regardless of the team winning or losing, backed-up pipes by the end of the first quarter is one of the top complaints .

by Lincoln on May 4, 2006 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions