Message Boards

The Pac has decided not to take Zero U and Okie Lite - right now. So the Big XII won't implode for at least a few more days or weeks. But it is on a collision course with death. You will survive the collision, without question. However, if you wish to avert this implosion, you - and only you - have the wherewithal to do so. Here's how:

Longhorn Network. You won. In the face of all the people saying it was a waste of $50,000,000, you won. You have created a seismic shift in the market for third tier media rights. However, few if any other Big XII schools have the resources or the alumni and fan base to replicate what you accomplished. If you want the conference to survive, you need to voluntarily level the financial playing field in this area. Sell LHN to the conference for a reasonable price (I would suggest your costs plus two years revenue might be appropriate). Use this infrastructure to develop a conference network. Have all schools assign their third tier rights to the conference. Kansas will definitely be entitled to some amount of compensation; possibly other schools as well. Allocate the resulting revenue stream equally among the member institutions.

Member schools. Tell Bible Aggy to stand down, get out of College Station's way. The sheep molesters don't want to stay, and trying to force them to by threatening litigation is just plain stupid. No break on the exit fees, make 'em repay the extra money they got last year from the North schools when Colorado and Nebraska left, but don't get in the way of them leaving. Add another quality school. Maybe BYU, maybe TCU, maybe someone else. If it's the Provo Polygamists, work out fair compensation for their current TV deal, then merge it with other Big XII contracts. No ongoing carve-outs for anyone with respect to TV revenue allocations. If three quality schools are available, grow the conference back to twelve teams. Otherwise, just ad one and sit for a while at ten.

Dan Bebee. Fire his ineffectual ass. Get someone on board who will be proactive, not reactive. Someone who will negotiate better TV deals. Not just dollar amounts, but better coverage for all conference schools. Mizzou and K-State frequently have credible teams. I-State (WTF??) seems to have one this year. Bible Aggy and Okie Lite have much stronger teams this year than what they've historically placed on the field. The conference is stronger and more stable when more of its teams are routinely competitive. More money alone won't accomplish this. High school kids need to see them on TV more, need to know that if they go there they'll be on TV regularly, not just when they play you or the Land Thieves.

So what's it gonna be, Bevo? Does the Big XII survive, or do you go and find a new home? The choice is pretty much up to you. I will remain a fan either way.