Missouri gets invite to SEC

[strawman]

Listening to College Sports Nation on Sirius and they are reporting that the SEC has invited Missouri to the SEC should the Big12 fall apart.

[donovan]

Listening to College Sports Nation on Sirius and they are reporting that the SEC has invited Missouri to the SEC should the Big12 fall apart.

Pretty much the definition of a Vulture.

[Dossenator]

Well, Nebraska and Colorado are all ready gone.

It looks like Texas, Texas Tech, OU, and OK State are going to the Pac-whatever they will be called.

And Texas A&M and Missouri to the SEC.

That only leaves 4 teams....the Big XII is almost dead.

[Spence]

I've never been a big fan of playoffs and it will kill the bowls (I like the bowls, even the ones that are not deemed game of the century), but if this 16 team conference thing gets teams back to eight team divisions (like the old eight team conferences) I may be for it. That would allow for a round robin division schedule and four OOC games that wouldn't necessarily have to include teams from the other side of the conference. I still hate to see ESPN win in their never ending quest to kill the bowl season and replace it with a money making playoff, but I absolutely hate this 12 team conference thing.

[Cane from the Bend]

Listening to College Sports Nation on Sirius and they are reporting that the SEC has invited Missouri to the SEC should the Big12 fall apart.

And then; apparently not . . .

The Southeastern Conference dismissed media reports Tuesday that it had informally agreed to add Missouri to the conference and move Auburn to the SEC East.

The Birmingham News reported that a majority of SEC presidents have endorsed an agreement, adding that Missouri would become the conference's 14th member after the recent announcement of Texas A&M as its 13th member. The News' story on its website cited two sources familiar with the discussions.

Earlier Tuesday, the Kansas City Star reported that the SEC was going to offer Missouri a spot in the conference, and would wait until the Big 12 dust settled for an answer. The Star cited a Mizzou booster who spoke directly to a school official. Another source told The Star on Tuesday that an Oklahoma official had said the SEC is interested in Missouri, the Star reported.

"The Southeastern Conference has not agreed formally or informally to accept any institution other than Texas A&M, and there have not been conference discussions regarding changes in divisional alignments," SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom said.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Board of Curators scheduled a public meeting for Thursday morning followed by an executive session. The school said in a release that the executive session would deal with, among other things, lease, contract, personnel and confidential or privileged communications with university counsel.

The Oklahoman, citing a high-ranking Big 12 official, reported Oklahoma president David Boren said Monday the school would decide between applying for the Pac-12 or staying in the Big 12. The source stressed that reforms would be necessary for Oklahoma to remain in the Big 12.

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The Pac-12 decided it won't expand further late Tuesday because commissioner Larry Scott failed to get assurance that Texas would back an equal revenue sharing plan if the league added the Longhorns, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, a source with direct knowledge told ESPN.com.

Scott didn't endorse expansion to the league's presidents and chancellors, the source said.

The presidents never took a vote on the four Big 12 schools and the four schools didn't formally apply for inclusion either, the source said. The Pac-12 member presidents were on a conference call Tuesday night and reaffirmed the decision to stay at 12 members.

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott: "After careful review we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference. While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve."

Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech were considering a potential move from the Big 12 to the Pac-12.

Oklahoma President David Boren: "We were not surprised by the Pac 12's decision to not expand at this time. Even though we had decided not to apply for membership this year, we have developed a positive relationship with the leadership of the conference and we have kept them informed of the progress we've been making to gain agreement from the Big 12 for changes which will make the conference more stable in the future. Conference stability has been our first goal and we look forward to achieving that goal through continued membership in the Big 12 Conference."

When the Pac-12 expanded with the addition of Utah and Colorado, Commissioner Larry Scott labored to get USC and UCLA to agree to revenue sharing after the two L.A. schools had held a revenue edge in the league. The Pac-12 signed a 12-year television deal with Fox and ESPN worth an estimated $3 billion last year that will take effect in 2012.

Scott was open to pushing for the inclusion of the four Big 12 schools because of getting into the states of Texas and Oklahoma and the possibility that it would produce even more revenue for the league. But the Pac-12 presidents were against any "special deals."

The Pac-12 wasn't going to dismiss a possible pod-system of four four-team subdivisions for scheduling purposes, but wouldn't agree to giving Texas favored treatment. Texas has its own network, which is operated by ESPN.

If Texas supported equal revenue sharing, then that would have meant more regional networks for the Pac-12 and even more money. But Texas wasn't willing to do that.

The Pac-12 presidents felt the efforts of NCAA president Mark Emmert to reach out and warn against the possible negative ramifications of super-conferences was effective. The Pac-12 considers expansion a dormant issue "for the foreseeable future." Bringing Oklahoma and Oklahoma State aboard without Texas would have been an even harder sell for Pac-12 presidents who simply weren't eager to expand.

Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby: "We have a very good situation and a bright future."

The Big 12 may now try to get long-term commitments of membership from its remaining nine teams.

Texas and Oklahoma officials are expected to meet in the next few days to negotiate an agreement to keep the universities in the league for at least the next five years. It was unclear Tuesday night whether other schools would be invited to join that meeting. However, Oklahoma State's regents have scheduled a special meeting Wednesday about conference realignment.

Big 12 sources say that the league had a list of five schools to replace the Aggies and was in the midst of that call list before Oklahoma's Boren made the decision to announce he would explore potential other conferences. The Big 12 ADs called Arkansas and BYU and were going to call Louisville, Pitt and West Virginia to check on possible membership.

Arkansas has already pledged its desire to stay in the SEC.

BYU remains an independent in football and in the WCC in all of its other sports but could be a viable option to join the Big 12 if it is assured of stability.

Pitt is now headed to the ACC sometime within the next 27 months.

Which may leave Louisville & West Virginia as possible options if the Big 12 wants to increase its membership to 10 or beyond . . . if that were to happen, look for a potential TCU examination.


Quite possibly, though, Pitt & Syracuse panicked, jumping the gun a bit early. A&M is still moving to the SEC, so 14 team conferences across the land, is not far fetched.

The Big 12 replaces Texas A&M, then starts poaching.

The ACC will have 14 members, and all but discarded the notion they would be even remotely interested in UConn. Seems that was a bunch of Huff coming out of Connecticut.

If the Big 12 looks to expand eastward, that would force the Big 10 to do the same. With all of this, the Big East conference looks to be finished; at least as far as Football goes.

I almost hate to post this, but, I've thought this for a while now.

The whole 16 team super conference ideology may have just been a ploy to condition those of us who were against that big of an expansion to sigh with relief when these conferences all settled down with 14.

Maybe not . . . but maybe.

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[Vileborg]

What I've gathered is that the Pac-12 wants UT, TT, OU, and OSU but they don't want the Longhorn Network lopsided profit sharing that is currently in place. It's either an equal split of proceeds or no dice. I don't know if it's a group deal but it seems to be and it seems to hinge on Texas.

[Cane from the Bend]

Yes & No;

Colorado and Utah didn't want to be segregated into pods that would push them away from the coast. The feel was, the TV market would have been less draw worthy by not grouping the to coast pods into an 8 team division, while bunching Colorado, Utah, and the Arizona schools with the Southwest pod of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. It seems as though revenue sharing isn't the only item on the table for the Utes & Buffaloes.

With all of this, the word from Oklahoma still falls back to Texas. OU is unhappy with the Longhorn network, but doesn't want to play in a different conference.

So, where does that leave us?

The Big 12 is now saying, let's go forward with our expansion. They are looking to contact BYU, Louisvilee and West Virginia.

I would suspect, being the most valuable product in question; West Va would have some apprehension to make this move.

The Big 12 has said things, such as, let's try to make this work, for at least another five years . . . but, what happens then? Why should West Virginia join a conference who has a life expectancy of 5 years before it folds? And, why five years? Is it to re-evaluate the progress made in that time? Or, is that the term of life the Longhorn Network contract has?

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[WoVeU]

I'm telling you the Big 12, likely w/o Texas and the Big East should go nuts!!! And stick it in everyone's face. I'd absorb every other team in FBS, except for maybe ND.
Make 4 divisions in each w/ 8 or 9 members. I'd workout revenue sharing that would give more to the bigger draws by stadium attendance, TV ratings, etc....but at the same time where the percentages and value favored the smaller schools (a little welfare for the common good and community...meaning growth.) Then I'd also lock-up the top 40 or 50 FCS schools (noting basketball in their as well) and contract them as Big East and Big West Affiliates.

Then I have my divisional cross over games "The Football Tourney" in week 10 and week 11. (That works out to a mini-playoff, not so mini actually...and that means "cha-ching"!) This would ensure great games the last weeks of the season and good rankings going into the bowls. I then re-allign basketball and every other sport. I'm telling you, they could put it on the other 4 conferences. Because I'd own all the futures, have a play-off plus bowl configuration...and on top of this...I'd lock out those Big 4 conferences. Because I'd have Division or Region Presidents (and counsels) and keep some of the leadership from the WAC, MAC, MTW, Conf USA, Sun Belt. And this would be under the 2 Conferences contracted in a League USA "Agreement". And this league would only play (in regular season) its Members and Affiliates. Let the "Big 4" chew on those apples. I want to see their schedules then.

And I can guarantee you many of these smaller schools would flourish, because they'd have security and a real chance to take a bite from the apple! That is what I would do. And it would work for the bigger programs. Boise St., TCU, WVU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., USF...or who ever (and several) will look really good in the final polls having the basically perfect 2 or 3 top 25 wins and 2 or 3 more wins in the top 50 or 60....perfect for voters and bowling! *I think fans would love it, as they would be doing what the NCAA couldn't!

Then use all of the Affiliate Members plus many more additional members to make up like four 24 to 30+ plus member basketball super conferences. (With some similar arrangements).

[Cane from the Bend]

Okay, well, outside of what you or I would do; this is what is shaping in the order of things.

Not that I'm surprised by this one, though, I thought the Big East would have reached out first.

East Carolina of Conference USA announced on Wednesday it has applied for membership in the Big East Conference.

ECU chancellor Steve Ballard: "While we have formalized our interest in Big East Conference membership as a viable option, ECU will remain focused on competing at the highest level through the efforts of Conference USA."

The Big East's initial expansion targets were to be the service academies -- Army, Navy, and Air Force -- with Central Florida and East Carolina as second-tier possibilities.

Because the conference does not want to publicly disclose its plans, a person spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, citing knowledge of the discussions, reported Wednesday that Navy and Air Force are the top choices, but as football-only members.

Leaders from the Big East football schools and TCU, which is to enter the league in 2012, met with commissioner John Marinatto in Manhattan on Tuesday night.

All the league's members, including the eight nonfootball-playing schools, committed to recruit new members.

But the league's status is still less than stable, with the SEC looking to prowl. There has been speculation the SEC could have West Virginia as a target to be the 14th school.

West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck: "As I stated before, WVU is an excellent flagship, land-grant University, with national-caliber athletic and academic programs. We are, and will remain, a national player in college athletics." ( which makes West Virginia look as though they are for sale )

There also has to be concern in the Big East that the ACC could come back for more of its members.

A source with direct knowledge of the meeting said that UConn didn't commit to remain in the Big East and is still actively pursuing membership in the ACC.

UConn president Susan Herbst: "The past several days have magnified the period of instability that exists today in the world of college athletics. I want to say thank you to all of our loyal supporters and fans of UConn and our athletic programs for their patience during this time. Please know that we will always do what is in the best interests for the University of Connecticut."

Commented on Tuesday night's Big East meeting, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck: "The group concluded the meeting with a strategy to recruit top level BCS-caliber institutions that match the league's strong athletic and academic histories and traditions. As I stated before, WVU is an excellent flagship, land-grant university, with national-caliber athletic and academic programs. We are, and will remain, a national player in college athletics. The conference office will coordinate any further discussion on this issue."

Villanova, a Colonial Athletic Association team in football from the the FCS, wants to be considered as a candidate for the Big East.

Interestingly enough, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asked about the issues facing Collegiate Athletics: "I don't think the universities need any advice from Congress about how to run their business. I have concerns about it, but I'm not an expert on why the universities are doing what they're doing. I assume it is in their own best interests. From a fan perspective, it is a little perplexing. I don't know what's going to happen to traditional rivalries when they're traveling thousands of miles to play."

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Personally, I think this is all a big mess. And with reports coming in, stating that the ACC may not be finished expanding, it is becoming disappointing & annoying.

I get that the ACC wants to collapse the Big East. But that will turn out to be fruitless.

The Big East is now a conference simply looking to continue. And seem very comfortable with the idea of adding teams who are Football only members, while maintaining Basketball only members.

That may frustrate Villanova, who is seeking a step up in football, but the conference is looking elsewhere for its grid iron programs.

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[WoVeU]

The last I heard on Nova was that they had the next move and were standing on an open invite. (If I recall, one of the questions was stadium capacity, and I think, at the present they can only seat 12k....which is crazy small. 22 years ago my High School and the opposing HS played football at Laidley Field in Charleston, WV. It holds 18.5k. It now services the University of Charleston.)

[Spence]

What I've gathered is that the Pac-12 wants UT, TT, OU, and OSU but they don't want the Longhorn Network lopsided profit sharing that is currently in place. It's either an equal split of proceeds or no dice. I don't know if it's a group deal but it seems to be and it seems to hinge on Texas.

None of the other conferences want the trouble sweetheart deals to any one team bring.