Truth & Rumors > NCAAF
The man who saved the Big 12
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08:37 AM ET 05.26 | ... in a month Chuck Neinas will be gone, turning the keys of the Big 12 over to Bob Bowlsby before heading back to his life in the Rocky Mountains. But what Neinas has accomplished should not be forgotten. The Big 12 reached out to Neinas last September with the conference in tatters. Nebraska and Colorado were gone, Missouri and Texas A&M were headed out the door and Oklahoma and Texas were exploring exit options. Nonetheless, Neinas accepted the offer to become the interim commissioner of a conference on the verge of collapse. But if you know Neinas, you knew not to take the term "interim" seriously. Neinas is no caretaker -- not the man who shaped the Big Eight into football's most powerful conference in the 1970s. Neinas is a man of action, which is why the Big 12 quietly changed his title from "interim" to "acting" commissioner a few months into his stewardship. How's this for action -- that shrinking eight-team league grew to 10 under Neinas with the additions of TCU and West Virginia, and the Big 12 reclaimed its status as a superconference this month with a landmark agreement with the SEC to play a bowl game pitting their two champions.
Victor J. Boschini Jr., Chuck Neinas, Icon SMI
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Comments (41) Add A Comment
Neinas, Neinas, he's the man
If he can't save it,
No one can.
Hip Hip Hooray....
or, whatever. :)
BackRoads
Total Comments (18215)
No doubt...so how is Bowlsby going to be...have you seen anything so far?
BackRoads
Total Comments (18215)
Neinas did provide stability. But let's be honest here. Zero U and the rusty cows saved the Big 12 by staying with it. Without those two, you have a bunch of schools sought by C-USA or such. Seriously, would the 12PAC, SEC, B1G want Tech, Baylor, Okie Lite, Kansas, K-State, Iowa State, TCU or WVa without getting OU or Texas in the deal? We know the Big Least would take some. Who else?
Deep Creek
Total Comments (17930)
Google knows all!
Sounds like the networks may want a "shovein" as much as "pushback."
I was wondering when all this network money would settle. I think the networks know games such as tOSU/Michigan and LSU/Bama are hot commodities and will pay. But, they also know Purdue/Minnesota or Kentucky/Ole Miss don't have national draw and really aren't prime products that warrant big $$$$$$$$$$.
Deep Creek
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I've said all along I think it best for a conference if all teams get to play each other every year as opposed to a rotation.
Deep Creek
Total Comments (17930)
Gotta say... at this time last year I didn't give the B12 a chance of hell being here this year.
Tip of the hat to Neinas.
Otis B. Driftwood
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Miss State playing Kentuck in semi's for SEC. They should get in the tourney regardless, but would be nice to beat UK for the 4th time in a row. LOL
BackRoads
Total Comments (18215)
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain....
Jesus H Manziel
Total Comments (1659)
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