Without personal speculation, or personal subjectivity; this is what people who are involved in this mess are actually saying.
Anything typed (within the parenthesis) is however my two bits thrown in.
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Texas A&M, said it will submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted, Texas A&M will leave the Big 12, effective June 30, 2012.
Texas A&M university President R. Bowen Loftin: "Leaving the Big 12 is in the best interest of Texas A&M," formally notifying the league with a letter after earlier securing details on the withdrawal process.
He said he hopes the move can be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee. (Nebraska paid $9.25 million and Colorado paid $6.9 million)
R. Bowen Loftin: "We are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M and our championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the necessary and stable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs. This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically."
Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said in a blog post Wednesday: "The departures of Nebraska and Colorado and the creation of the Longhorn Network made the Big 12 "considerably different" than it was last summer. There have also been other developments during the past several months that have caused a great deal of uncertainty within the Big 12. You all know the landscape of the Big 12 Conference was altered by the creation of the Longhorn Network."
He mentions the network's attempts to televise high school games and the "attempt to coerce Big 12 schools to move their football games in Austin" to the network. Byrne also said that Texas A&M was not offered the chance to join the Longhorns in the venture.
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The Southeastern Conference said earlier this month it was happy with its current membership but left the door open to expansion, and the Aggies certainly wouldn't have made this move if they didn't believe they could eventually join the conference.
The Aggies would need the votes of nine of the 12 presidents from the member schools for the SEC to allow them into the league.
The SEC is now saying they would consider the possibility of a one year run with 13 teams, as long as there were a suitable 14th member ready to join the following year.
Presently, the SEC said it had not received an application from Texas A&M to join the league and that it would offer no further comment.
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Sources within the Big 12 confirmed they would like to move as quickly as possible to replace Texas A&M.
The conference wants to add one school in the immediate sense, but has not ruled out the possibility of an additional three teams in the future.
Of course, much of the motivation to maintain the stability of the Big XII conference would be due to The Big 12's agreement to a 13-year television deal with Fox Sports in April, worth more than
$1 billion, a contract that technically could be voided with Texas A&M's departure and lead to legal issues for the Aggies.
A person familiar with that TV deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the league has indications from the network that if a suitable replacement can be found that "
they will be fine and keep the contract as is."
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details are not supposed to be public, also said that the contract could remain in force at a discounted rate even if the Big 12 had only its remaining nine teams.
Open statements from Big Twelve officials, are;
Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton (who serves as the chairman of the Big 12 board of directors): "The chancellors and presidents of the Big 12 are committed to keeping our conference competitively and academically strong. We have a process in place that enables us to move aggressively regarding the possible expansion of the conference and to assure our members and student-athletes that we will take advantage of the most productive opportunities in the best interests of all."
Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe: "The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutions are steadfast in their commitment to the Big 12. As previously stated, the conference will move forward aggressively exploring its membership options."
Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds: "As we stated last summer, we are strong supporters and members of the Big 12 conference. Recent events have not altered our confidence in the league. A Big 12 committee is in place to look at all options, shaping the future of the conference so it will continue to be one of the top leagues in the country."
Baylor president Ken Starr: "We still believe the Big 12 has a bright future. We know that the Big 12 is an exciting and attractive conference for many reasons, including the quality of our academic programs, the strength of our athletic teams, the support of our loyal fans and the depth of our vibrant traditions."
The conference understands
Notre Dame has no plans to join the Big 12 and that
Arkansas is a "less than 50 percent shot," as one administrator said.
(though it is interesting these schools were mentioned as part of the conversation)
The Big 12 believes BYU would consider an invitation -- despite just declaring its independence in football -- because joining would ease scheduling concerns and provide more direct access to the BCS. And one administrator said the Big 12 does not have issues with BYU's policy of not playing on Sundays.
BYU associate athletic director Duff Tittle: "There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference." (if you read into this statement; it is not a No)
Two administrators said it was unlikely the conference would add an in-state school such as TCU, SMU or Houston because it would not necessarily add television value and because the footprint of Texas is already covered.
And yet, the only school to publicly express interest in joining the Big 12 is SMU, while noting their climb back to respectability.
Also, an indefinite answer from Houston, with regards to the Universities contact with the Big 12.
Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades: "We're always going to look to get better, and look for opportunity. Whether that comes, whether that doesn't, I certainly can't answer that. But we're in a great conference right now, and we're going to continue to be a great member. But we're also going to do everything we can to get better."
Rhoades said he believes A&M's decision could be the first domino in changes across the landscape of college football.
Mack Rhoades: "Right now, let's face it, that's the world of college athletics. Whatever happens here in the next week, two weeks, three months, who knows what the timeline is? I don't think it ends there. I think it's going to continue to evolve over the next few years."
Pittsburgh and Louisville have also been discussed by a special committee on expansion as realistic possibilities, sources said. (which I might add, is the first I've heard talks of the Big XII's interest in moving eastward)
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