Longhorn Network creates 'uncertainty' UT's new cable channel may lead to breakup of Big 12

Houston Chronicle ^ | 7.21.11 | BRENT ZWERNEMAN

[trumandogz]

COLLEGE STATION — A swanky television network beaming from the state’s capital has threatened to do what the departures of Nebraska and Colorado could not: bust up the Big 12. Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin used the term “uncertainty” time and again Thursday in describing the state of the league, thanks to the start of the ESPN-owned Longhorn Network in Austin next month. “The (recent) announcement by ESPN that the Longhorn Network might carry a conference (football) game in addition to a nonconference game was troubling, and then following right after that was ESPN’s announcement regarding high school games would be televised as well,” Loftin said. “Both of those we believe provide a great deal of uncertainty right now for us and the conference.” The Aggies’ uprising against the $300 million enterprise has appeared to pay off for A&M. Hours after Loftin addressed the issue following a closed-door session by A&M regents concerning the matter, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe released a statement.

[dfwgator]

I think it’s inevitable that you will see happen in college football, what happened in English soccer, when the richest teams broke away from the FA and started the Premier League.

The richest football programs will break away from the NCAA and start their own association.

[trumandogz]

“Are you trying to make the case that broadcasting high school games on tsip-TV won’t provide a recruiting advantage in influencing players, coaches, or schools?”

Of course the Longhorn Network will provide a recruiting advantage for the Longhorns.

However, it is not an unfair advantage as schools like Baylor, University of Houston, Texas Southern University and Texas A&M are free to also start their own TV networks that would help recruiting and take in $300 million.

[DrewsDad]

That’s probably what SMU alum thought too.