Keeping the Big 12 Alive not so crazy

[Harry]

Try this lineup for size: Baylor, Iowa State, TCU, SMU, North Texas, Houston, Rice, UT El Paso, Louisiana Tech, Tulane, Tulsa and New Mexico State. Soon-to-be FBS members UT San Antonio and Texas State are possible wild cards.

While this collection might not exactly be TV sexy, it's a league that will have automatic-qualifying status through 2014 (length of the BCS contract) barring any change in the BCS bylaws

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http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/09/07/3345245/keeping-big-12-alive-after-defections.html

[DeepGreen]

Sub Kansas and Kansas State for New Mexico State and smuT. Forget about utsa and texas state univ-san marcus.

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

Yes...barring any changes in BCS bylaws...which, they will do five minutes after OU and Texas leave the Big 12. If they decide to replace the Big 12's AQ status, it will be given to the MWC...which is why we want in the MWC and not some new amalgamation of the C-USA or old SWC.

[UNTflyer]

Sub Kansas and Kansas State for New Mexico State and smuT. Forget about utsa and texas state univ-san marcus.

The assumption is that they go Big East. The Big 12 will need to be on its deathbed for us to get an invite, but I would join this league even if UTSA and TSU-SM join

[UNTflyer]

It's a good idea. I especially like the point about exit fees. They could be used to prop up incoming programs. Imagine if 5 teams left x $20 million in exit fees. That's a big pie to divide up.

[UNTcrazy727]

This league wouldn't garner much attention nationally, but I bet Fox Sports would pay good money for it. With all the big schools going across the nation it will open up the regional market for us small timers

[UNTflyer]

This league wouldn't garner much attention nationally, but I bet Fox Sports would pay good money for it. With all the big schools going across the nation it will open up the regional market for us small timers

Not initially, but with the infusion of money we're talking about all of these times can quickly upgrade their programs.

[UNTcrazy727]

Not initially, but with the infusion of money we're talking about all of these times can quickly upgrade their programs.

Compared to the big conferences it wouldn't be much money, but what I'm thinking is that we would get a whole lot more exposure and money than what the Sun Belt will ever get us.

[cdizzle86]

I like this idea because we could eventually create the Mean Green Network (MGN) and use it to show our committed recruits' football games.

Just thinking outside the box.

[UNTflyer]

Compared to the big conferences it wouldn't be much money, but what I'm thinking is that we would get a whole lot more exposure and money than what the Sun Belt will ever get us.

The article points out that every team leaving would pay an exit fee, roughly $20 million. And that the exit fee money could be distributed to schools that join. Also, there is still a TV contract in place for several more years. Whether the makeup of the conference changes or not, ESPN and ABC have to pay the Big 12 that contract. The BCS money will continue to flow in for at least 3 more years.

In short, there is still a ton of money coming into the Big 12 if they can maintain the minimum number of members.