I used to be a regular on this board but once aTm left for the SEC I pretty much quit coming to this board.
Before I state what I've heard a few things.
I played for UT during the early 90's when we got our asses absolutely destroyed by the Wrecking Crew outside of the 90 season. I have the utmost respect for the guys I played against back in those days and I was crushed when learning of the passing of Rodney Thomas back in 2014. I simply had unbelievable respect for him on and off the field.
I also totally understand and will be the first to admit that Texas killed the Big 12 conference. I know others say Texas killed the SWC but I don't buy that narrative. But the Big 12, Texas ego and always dictating everything ruined what imop could have been a well positioned conference for growth in the future. I despised Deloss Dodss, Fenves and almost all of UT's administration during those years.
I'm not some sort of BMD but I am fairly well connected and so you can take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt.
OU was the originator which should not be that surprising. They have been disgruntled with the Big 12 for quite some time but Texas and OU made the decision they were a package deal several years ago.
The schools made the decision in about 2019 that the likelihood either would extend their GOR past 2025 was unlikely.
Texas and OU reached out to SEC in the late November/Early December time frame. I was told only a few schools were brought in initially with those likely being Bama, Auburn, Georgia and Florida. Things starting moving fairly quickly from then on with aTm, Arkansas and Mizzou being kept in the dark.
The next part I struggle to accept but this is what I heard. When Texas hired Sark and his staff (several from Bama) part of their messaging was that Texas and OU would be moving to the SEC as these coaches were reluctant to leave the SEC. Texas discussed this with Beard when he came over from Tech.
If the move occurs look for no later than 2023 and it could be as early as 2022.
Why is the SEC interested. Obviously speculative but some of the notes I've heard.
While aTm and LSU deliver much of East Texas and the Houston markets they have not really had a great ratings impact on the rest of Texas especially the I-35 corridor from San Antonio to DFW and West. Adding Texas and OU delivers almost the entire Texas market plus OK.
There is concern of a Texas/OU package with Notre Dame to either the Big 10 or ACC..
I've heard that the new media rights package will move the payday per school from $44M per year to over $60M per year..
Simply put the Texas and OU brands were something that the SEC did not think they could pass up.
The belief is the announcement could come as early as 1st week of August if not sooner. However, this is not a done deal yet and still a fluid situation.
I will say as a former player, removing all of the politics from the table, I look forward to this game being played again. All I have to do is look at the atmosphere earlier this year at Olsen field on a Tuesday night that speaks to the fun of the games between these two universities. Yet at the same time I fully understand why aTm fans and administrators are 100000X against this realignment.
Hook'Em
Before I state what I've heard a few things.
I played for UT during the early 90's when we got our asses absolutely destroyed by the Wrecking Crew outside of the 90 season. I have the utmost respect for the guys I played against back in those days and I was crushed when learning of the passing of Rodney Thomas back in 2014. I simply had unbelievable respect for him on and off the field.
I also totally understand and will be the first to admit that Texas killed the Big 12 conference. I know others say Texas killed the SWC but I don't buy that narrative. But the Big 12, Texas ego and always dictating everything ruined what imop could have been a well positioned conference for growth in the future. I despised Deloss Dodss, Fenves and almost all of UT's administration during those years.
I'm not some sort of BMD but I am fairly well connected and so you can take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt.
OU was the originator which should not be that surprising. They have been disgruntled with the Big 12 for quite some time but Texas and OU made the decision they were a package deal several years ago.
The schools made the decision in about 2019 that the likelihood either would extend their GOR past 2025 was unlikely.
Texas and OU reached out to SEC in the late November/Early December time frame. I was told only a few schools were brought in initially with those likely being Bama, Auburn, Georgia and Florida. Things starting moving fairly quickly from then on with aTm, Arkansas and Mizzou being kept in the dark.
The next part I struggle to accept but this is what I heard. When Texas hired Sark and his staff (several from Bama) part of their messaging was that Texas and OU would be moving to the SEC as these coaches were reluctant to leave the SEC. Texas discussed this with Beard when he came over from Tech.
If the move occurs look for no later than 2023 and it could be as early as 2022.
Why is the SEC interested. Obviously speculative but some of the notes I've heard.
While aTm and LSU deliver much of East Texas and the Houston markets they have not really had a great ratings impact on the rest of Texas especially the I-35 corridor from San Antonio to DFW and West. Adding Texas and OU delivers almost the entire Texas market plus OK.
There is concern of a Texas/OU package with Notre Dame to either the Big 10 or ACC..
I've heard that the new media rights package will move the payday per school from $44M per year to over $60M per year..
Simply put the Texas and OU brands were something that the SEC did not think they could pass up.
The belief is the announcement could come as early as 1st week of August if not sooner. However, this is not a done deal yet and still a fluid situation.
I will say as a former player, removing all of the politics from the table, I look forward to this game being played again. All I have to do is look at the atmosphere earlier this year at Olsen field on a Tuesday night that speaks to the fun of the games between these two universities. Yet at the same time I fully understand why aTm fans and administrators are 100000X against this realignment.
Hook'Em
