It's obvious that the Big 12 is split regarding its future. To me, it's clear that as long as the Longhorn Network exists in its current form, that will continue to be the case and lead to instability. Here's what I think the Big 12 should do:
1. Convert the Longhorn Network into the Big 12 Network and give Texas a double share of revenue for 10 years to compensate it for handling the startup costs. I'm sure ESPN would love to see this happen because it makes far more sense that continuing to have a loser on its hands.
2. Add four teams -- BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida and New Mexico. BYU brings a national following far beyond the relatively small Utah TV market. Cincy gets the Big 12 Network into a very populous state and gives West Virginia a much closer rival. Central Florida gets the Big 12 Network into another populous state, Florida. New Mexico doesn't bring as much value, but it is the flagship university in a state currently without a Power 5 conference member. If you want, you could substitute Memphis for New Mexico and add the larger Tennessee TV market.
3. Divisions could look something like this:
Texass, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, OU, OSU, BYU
and
West Virginia, Cincinnati, Iowa State, kansas, KSU, NM, C. Fla.
4. Create a championship game.
All those schools are realistic targets for the Big 12. And all those moves create a lot of added TV revenue plus the conference championship revenue.
Of course, the selfishness of Texass makes it unlikely that this will ever happen.
1. Convert the Longhorn Network into the Big 12 Network and give Texas a double share of revenue for 10 years to compensate it for handling the startup costs. I'm sure ESPN would love to see this happen because it makes far more sense that continuing to have a loser on its hands.
2. Add four teams -- BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida and New Mexico. BYU brings a national following far beyond the relatively small Utah TV market. Cincy gets the Big 12 Network into a very populous state and gives West Virginia a much closer rival. Central Florida gets the Big 12 Network into another populous state, Florida. New Mexico doesn't bring as much value, but it is the flagship university in a state currently without a Power 5 conference member. If you want, you could substitute Memphis for New Mexico and add the larger Tennessee TV market.
3. Divisions could look something like this:
Texass, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, OU, OSU, BYU
and
West Virginia, Cincinnati, Iowa State, kansas, KSU, NM, C. Fla.
4. Create a championship game.
All those schools are realistic targets for the Big 12. And all those moves create a lot of added TV revenue plus the conference championship revenue.
Of course, the selfishness of Texass makes it unlikely that this will ever happen.
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