A Jersey Guy: What if Texas and OU stay in Big 12?

Observe the cash was an underlying theme within the Watergate scandal a era in the past.

Within the current world of faculty soccer, which is being torn aside by switch portal and Identify, Picture and License points involving a whole lot of thousands and thousands of {dollars} of {dollars}, it has turn into a mantra within the places of work of the Large 12 which is in a state of flux.

The Large 12 might have give you an answer, which might flip this hybrid convention right into a extra typical Tremendous 14 workforce league for one or two seasons, with a mix of previous and new groups.

However why make it a brief transfer?

Why not shut a deal wherein Texas and Oklahoma turn into anchors of a 14-team Large 12 tremendous convention?

First the excellent news.

The Large 12 introduced a document payoff of roughly 42.5 million for every of its 10 colleges.

However that could be a league which incorporates Texas and Oklahoma, each who’re dedicated to the Southeastern Convention, beginning within the 2025 season.

The Large 12 can be dedicated to including BYU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati, once more beginning within the 2025 season

In an ideal world, these strikes would have taken place already or be set for the beginning of the season.

However there was a matter of buyouts required from every of the departing colleges who must break contracts to go away their leagues early.

Within the case of UCF, Cincinnati and Houston, who’re leaving the American Athletic Convention that quantity is within the $27 million greenback vary. BYU, as an unbiased in soccer has no buyout clause.

 Within the case of Oklahoma and Texas, it’s nearer to $76 million {dollars} which the Large 12 desires for an early departure from its two signature colleges.

Hardly chump change.

The realignment points are additionally clogging the playoff enlargement system which was centered on shifting from 4 to 12 groups.

Once more, a cash challenge which climbs into the billion greenback vary.

The Large 12 which can be on the lookout for a brand new commissioner to interchange Bob Bowlsby, who’s retiring, has been reluctant to make any compromises.

If the Large 12 desires to be progressive, getting somebody from exterior the convention corresponding to Colorado athletic director Rick George or Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne could be a significant transfer ahead.

In truth, it appears possible that for at the very least subsequent season, it is able to embrace a 14 workforce league, with each Texas and Oklahoma, in addition to BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, in addition to the remaining Large 12 groups.

Within the newest 2022 pre-season energy rankings, the Large 12 could be a significant participant, with 8 groups within the High 40, a complete which might match the ACC and Large 10 and path solely the SEC, which has 11 High 40 groups.

Such a construction within the Large 12 ought to give factions opposing the transfer to the SEC in Oklahoma and Texas some leverage.

With these 14 groups, the 42 million greenback payout ought to improve.

It additionally must be famous that Oklahoma and Texas are leaving the Large  12 because the unquestioned leaders of the pack. 

NO ONE is suggesting that Oklahoma or Texas will come near say that Sooners or Longhorns can have such a task within the SEC.

Oh, they’ll earn more money within the SEC–lots extra, maybe as a lot as $70 million per faculty

And it’ll take some main negotiating for a 14-teamBig 12 to get $43 million per faculty. 

However there are methods the unique Large 12 colleges can get that a lot instantly with newcomers getting will increase over an prolonged time period.

And for a pair of faculties corresponding to Oklahoma and Texas, who’ve been handled as a royalty and just about gotten their very own approach on each main challenge, life within the SEC might be ego bruising at finest.

Would not being a part of a 14-team Large 12, wherein they continue to be because the prime  points of interest be price preserving?

Maintaining an expanded package deal that favors Texas and Oklahoma in a brand new tremendous convention arrange appears extra possible.

Keep tuned.

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