Quote Originally Posted by Tailgate Guru View Post
The 13-year grant-of-rights that the Big 12 schools have agreed to is pretty strong stuff.

What it tells me is that Texas, in particular, has looked around and decided that it would rather not be the fifth (or whatever number) big fish in the pond (Big Ten) and doesn't want to send its teams and fans all the way to the coast (Pac 12 and ACC). Texas has itself a good deal right where it is. And all the other Big 12 schools benefit from their association with Texas. Oklahoma is no exception. Oklahoma is a great brand and helps bring lots of value to the Big 12 television deals. But Oklahoma is not Texas, and more importantly, Oklahoma is attached to Oklahoma State at the hip. The only conference that would admit both schools is the SEC, and even that is doubtful now with A&M and Missouri in the fold. And Oklahoma wants no part of the SEC anyway.

So the Big 12 is pretty stable for the next 15 years or more.

Each of the five serious conferences, including the ACC, stands on its own merit. Only the SEC is a cinch to have a powerhouse football team every year. The Big Ten is not immune from dips. The Pac 12 has had its dips. Texas and Okahoma have had their dips. And the ACC is in a dip right now.
Disagree, any future school can sue the conference, the Commish and all it's mates with , pick your allegation, pick the reported feigned indignation and damages and escape from the "ironclad contract". The assignment of rights is just a novel approach but is subject to some slickster attorneys completely unraveling the terms of the contract.

The Big 12(-4+2) just has a stink about it. Sad, the Big 8 was a solid, coheasive group. The Texas dysfunction that resulted in the SWC imploding was like a fungus that spread and caused Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri to flee. Those 3 were charter members of the Big 8. Texas A&M splitting was just nothing short of shocking. The Big 12(-4+2) has egomaniacs Texas and to a less er extent Oklahoma and the rest of the conference has a battered wife syndrome feel.

The ACC , although there may be some differences of opinion on some subjects, for the most part has a foundation of mutual respect. I'm sure when there were 8 teams, half from the state of North Carolina, the perception that Tobacco Road ruled the conference may have been legit. Since our joining , I feel we have been treated fairly and have earned respect with our peers very quickly. VT has hosted several ACC championship events and an ACC annual business meeting. The ACC membership has enhanced the whole university. Yeah, the ACC is an athletic conference but it is so much more.

The Big 12(-4+2) , despite a potential lucrative contract just isn't that appealing , IMHO.