Guys, I have kept low the last few days, and won' t tell you anything you couldn't figure out on your own. But do have some insight to calm the worries, but also some insight to increase your pulse if you think it is all in the free and clear. Again, Liucci, Brent, Justice, Gottlieb and others are spot on that an announcement is imminent and it all looks like Ags to SEC is all but a done deal. Those worrying should take this as the truth, based on where it is right now..

However, and this is the part nobody likes, there are still hurdles, and potential to get derailed. Think through who really controlled the decision last summer. Our President? Our BOR? Our Ad? None of those. Beebe? The Big XII? t.u? Dodds? Nope again. Not even the SEC and Slive made the decision. It was the networks.

Espn and Fox controlled the deal last year, and their ability to step up the $$$ and direct what ultimately happened in 2010 has been documented. Ask yourself this, who is the big loser if the Big XII folds? Not us. Not t.u., they will be fine. Not even the state of Texas or our legislatures.

Fox has the most to lose, as they hoped to have the whorns and us locked up in the Pac10 last year but could ultimatey lose out completely if we go Sec, and Texas goes indy or big10. They could see their investment in the big12 as having lost Colorado and Nebraska already, and now A&M... Sounds like a bad deal form them.

And espn, though having both SEC and big12 (as well as longhorns) could have to pony up TONS of $$$ for the new SEC contract, while already investing plenty in a watered down LHN. Again, not great for them,

So, where does that put us now? I am not worried about Perry. Not worried about our BOR. Not worried about Loftin. Not even worried about SEC vote, or smear campaigns, or legislatures... The ONLY thing that worries me is the networks changing the game, and they can.

We all hope the Monday announcement is about us leaving the crap big12 and going east to the SEC. However, know that there is a real possibility of a last minute network deal that is too good to be true, and the game gets changed. If Fox or Espn brings something to the table that is in the best interest of A&M, and is financially awesome for us, and we see a change in leadership at big12 ( beebe gone), and several other things get sidetracked in our favor, we might be right where we were last year. Looking like the money hungry complainers still stuck in this conference.

It may indeed be a better deal than what we have now, and could end up working, but there may be no looking back after this time. Again, we are on track to go Sec, but the networks may end up being the decision makers on this, just as they were last year. And that is reason for concern, they control the money.

Makes sense. But surely our admin is making the decision based on stability and factors other than just money? I don't see us giving in just cause FOX or ESPN makes a good deal for us. Though I know Poohah is connected, and has good ears on these deals, I hope you are wrong.

Agree with the principle of the networks having a lot of power, but...

FOX is not going to offer us a lot of money to keep playing in the Big XII-II. Not going to happen. With us, they have a lot of eyes on sets in the Houston and Dallas TV markets. Without us, they have a lot of eyes on sets in the Houston and Dallas TV markets, although there are fewer eyes since we Aggies will all be watching SEC games. Not enough to equal a new, giant TV contract for a property that's already devalued.

ESPN is obviously mad, but they can't order the SEC not to expand. They shouldn't have signed the contract they signed if they didn't like it.

The one network angle problem that would derail all of this would be:

A. ESPN declaring that they won't pay any more for the SEC with us in it.

and

B. The SEC having learned that no other network partner is willing to pony up more money than ESPN even if they expand.

Best post of the night... and dead on. Aggies need to keep pushing the message: The Big XII-2 is unstable ... and it's all on account of UT and ESPN. This has been the Husker mantra for the past 18 months, and we're sticking to it. Keep up your chins up, fellas. We're rooting for you!

The issue is for the networks is the NBC and CBS now have their own sports networks and might hijack these arrangements from ESPN and FOX if they play this wrong. Do you not think that CBS would not love to have the SEC tier 2 rights as well?

I hope I am wrong as well. But There is no reason Fox couldn't pitch an A&M branded station with maroon logos and plenty of big12 programming to protect their current investment. BTW, we have a senior VP of Fox Sports on the 12th Man board. Also, no reason Espn couldn't find extra $$$ to throw our direction, to keep them from throwing even more money in another direction. Just saying.

And I agree with the above poster, ESPN will not allow SEC to get away, and CBS could expand, or Fox might bid on SEC deal and drive it up as well... SEC is king, and everyone wants a share, including us..

[This message has been edited by 91poohah (edited 8/13/2011 10:12p).]

But there is your answer. If ESPN doesn't pay more to the SEC for adding new teams, there will be another major network step up and do that to get the SEC.

I cannot bring myself to believe that espn is going to strong arm the SEC.

Good post.

Just a guess, but I think the A&M leadership has thought this through and this go round, the decision has been made to move regardless. After all, there are other considerations besides money. I think it's clear that the leadership knows that the fanbase wants to make the move. Also, the current arrangement with the Big XII-II is not stable. Why not jump to the SEC and control your future instead of waiting for continued drama in the current conference? Otherwise that will be a continued distraction.

I'll also throw in that this is a seminal move, at least as it relates to Aggie Athletics. Becoming the SEC school in Texas is no small thing. It will set A&M apart when it comes to recruiting. As much bluster as there is about how our last decade has been weak in football, it is clearly a program on the upswing. And then of course we are doing well in numerous other sports. At least as it relates to football, I think it provides an edge in recruiting against texas and ou, not to mention gets us a crack at talent that otherwise would head east.

While the national media spin of course is about A&M getting out of texas' shadow, I think there is a benefit to unlinking our fortunes from theirs. No longer do we have to deal with their BS, which clearly centers around what is best for them, all benevolent hot air aside.

Last, given the personalities involved, I think you would see a different indication if this decision hadn't already been made. And, yes, now that Perry is running for president and has weighed in on it, for his political fortunes he needs it to happen. I see no CYA type statements from those involved. The meeting on Monday is clearly to act on what has been decided.

Whoop!

Never thought I would say this but if FOX screws this for us I will start watching C...........C...........C...CNN.

Now hold on just a damn minute

[This message has been edited by videoag98 (edited 8/13/2011 10:38p).]

From a business standpoint, I believe Fox controls the rights to Pac12 and the B1G Network...they will still have an inroad into Texas if they end up going to one of those.The concern from Fox would be Texas going Indy, right?

It's not about money anymore. It's about being in a conference that works for the best of the conference, not for the best of individuals.

I don't think it was ever about money. It was about being in a conference not controlled by egomaniacs.

Don't kid yourselves. It is ALWAYS about money.

It is about principle now.

Plus this would give both Byrne and Loftin both a nice highlight for their stints at A&M. Personal pride may seem like a small thing, but in my experience it can be a significant factor. Hell, they might just think it's the right thing to do.

Naturally those of us on the (far) outside can only guess at what's going on, and who is driving what in this process.

What I have gathered is that A&M's leadership and those with influence (ie Perry) are all unified behind this move. Whoever lined this up, at least on A&M's side, seems to know what they're doing.

To the OP, great post. It would seem in the best interest of the networks for us to play lsu, bama, auburn, ark, etc, but once you dig deeper; I can see where a particual network may not want it. I'm more concerned about the SEC TV partners getting on board than a sweet deal from the big12 TV partners. We aren't staying in the big12 this time regardless of the offer. I just hope the SEC makes the invitation.

With regard to some media organization stepping up and preventing this move from happening, I would hope A&M learned its lesson from the events of last summer. Fox uppped the ante for the television rights but what did that change? We are right back where we were last summer, with the sips still orchestrating events to their benefit and the detriment of everyone else.

It's time to tell sippy to kiss our ass and head east.

quote:

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there may be no looking back after this time

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I think this is the crucial point regarding our decision. If we don't move to the SEC, we will be stuck in the Cow 10 with a bunch of other schools that won't stand up to the Whorns. And the Whorns obviously won't stop until they completely skew the playing field their direction.

So even though I wasn't on board last year, if the SEC extends an offer, from my perspective (admittedly on the outside) we have to jump on it. If the networks sabotage this, we'll be o.k. in the short term. But in the long run, we'll be in a world of hurt.

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"We are DEAD LAST IN THE SOUTH. The worst ****ing team in the South Division. Dead *** last. This is really happening. "
Texas Longhorn Internet Poster, November 7, 2010