Well it looks like the Big 12 is saved. For now. Dan Beebe has somehow whipped up a new deal which includes a new television contract that will more than double revenues for every team in the conference. It will also allow them to pursue individual networks like Texas and OU have been interested in doing. The Big 12 is now a weakened 10 team football league without (most likely) a conference title game. Not a bad basketball conference though. But let's be real. Football is the money maker. And without a conference title game, the Big 12 will be the one sitting around for weeks while others like the SEC, Big 10 and Pac 10 will be playing on national TV that first weekend in December. We've essentially switched roles with the Big 10. Granted it will be much easier for OU and Texas to get to a BCS bowl but the Big 12 has gone from a top tier conference to 4th or 5th at best. OSU, A&M, and Tech are going to have to step up and make the conference somewhat competitive. Kansas, K-State, and Iowa St. officially have 1% chance to ever win a conference championship. At least while this thing lasts.
I can see it ending as soon as the TV contract is up. Texas will get bored again and throw their weight around and see how much someone will pay them to join their conference. The Pac 10 commish has to be furious with Texas. They basically used them to get what they wanted. More money, opportunity for their own TV network, easy road to championships. I guess you can't blame them, but I think people are getting tired of the arrogance. I kinda wish OU, OSU, and whoever else went ahead and took the Pac 10 deal.
It was guarenteed money, more exposure out West and most importantly, a long term situation.
Oh well. The Nebraska-Texas game should be interesting this year.
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