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Oklahoma State Football

Report: Bob Bowlsby To Meet With Pac-12 Commissioner To Discuss Possible Conference Merger

August 3, 2021
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STILLWATER – With Oklahoma and Texas headed to the SEC sometime in the near future, the Big 12 Conference and the rest of the eight remaining schools are scrambling to try and secure their futures. Whether that’s trying to keep the current league intact via merger, or possibly finding a new landing spot in a different conference.

Well, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby is trying to be proactive in saving the Big 12 as it was reported Tuesday morning by Max Olson of The Athletic Bowlsby is set to meet with Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff to discuss a scheduling alliance and a possible merger of the two conferences.

This news comes less than 24 hours after Bowlsby argued the case of the Big 12 and the eight remaining in front of a Texas Senate Committee on the Future of College Athletics on Monday.

“With the disruption, the economies of the eight remaining universities are jeopardized, particularly the three remaining schools in the State of Texas,” Bowlsby started. “The Perryman Report details the particularly negative impact that this departure will have, but it does not detail to make the points that others will make today regarding student recruiting, bond rating, long range planning, and research dollars. The innate dependencies that are present in college athletic conferences extend way beyond the playing fields. Mutual decisions are made that rely on years of history and relationships with many millions of dollars in the balance with respect to those three schools. Notwithstanding the obvious breach of trust the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas in Austin have violated the very bylaws that they help to construct. With the approval of the board, the remaining members of the Big 12, I have notified both schools with what I believe to be a violation of that obligation.”

It’ll be interesting to see how the Pac-12 feels about a possible merger with the Big 12 based on the two religious-based institutions, Baylor and TCU, that would be a part of the deal. However, a scheduling alliance, and certainly a merger, would be mutually beneficial to both conferences.

The Pac-12 doesn’t come on the scene on college football Saturdays until 2:30 in the afternoon due to the West Coast time zone. If a merger were to happen, the Pac-12 would be on tv all day long with 11 a.m. CT kicks and the famed Pac-12 “after dark” football.

The Pac-12 held its annual media day last week and Commissioner Kliavkoff confirmed that possible realignment was at least on his radar.

“I think it’s an interesting opportunity. It’s under discussion, but nothing to announce today.”

Should a merger take place, it would create the first super-conference of 20 teams, four more than the SEC would have with Oklahoma and Texas. There’s also the news from last week of the American Athletic Conference trying to poach some, if not all the remaining Big 12 schools.

We’ve obviously got a long road ahead of us in regard to conference realignment and possible conference mergers, but at his induction ceremony into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, head coach Mike Gundy said he’s not worried about Oklahoma State.

“I have complete faith in our leadership, but Oklahoma State is going to be just fine. I’m not worried about Oklahoma State at all. Wherever the chips fall, we’ll be fine.”

Discussion from...

Report: Bob Bowlsby To Meet With Pac-12 Commissioner To Discuss Possible Conference Merger

10,195 Views | 24 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by CaliforniaCowboy
NJAggie
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Very interesting. An 8 team move would make an interesting set up. 4 pods of 5 teams maybe?

A: ISU/KU/KSU/CU/UU
B: OSU/TT/BU/TCU/WVU
C: ASU/AU/USC/UCLA/CAL
D: Stanford/OrSt/Ore/UW/WSU

Could be interesting.
CaliforniaCowboy
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oh great, NJAggie..... stick us in the toughest pod... thank you very much.

why can't we be in with WSU, Beavers, KU, and CU ?

IF the idea is to promote better times to play, then it would seem practical to break the teams up. Geography doesn't mean anything anymore.

TUSKAPOKE
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I like your thoughts or.....

OSU/TT/TCU/BU or KSU to PAC12 to form the Super PAC 16

ISU/KU to B10

WVU to ACC

KSU or BU to AAC or Mountain West

Sewerners/Shorthorns to mediocrity in the SEC....all after the last two pay the blood money or stay to the end...force a hard birth into the SEC.....

I am looking forward to this new adventure, no matter the power conference alignment for OSU, because I am tired of the two prima-donnas running the show!!! GO POKES!!!
thetruth
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what are the odds that if/when we move west that no one east of the mississippi will ever hear of us again. like the pac is now.
Joe Khatib
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TUSKAPOKE said:

I like your thoughts or.....

OSU/TT/TCU/BU or KSU to PAC12 to form the Super PAC 16

ISU/KU to B10

WVU to ACC

KSU or BU to AAC or Mountain West

Sewerners/Shorthorns to mediocrity in the SEC....all after the last two pay the blood money or stay to the end...force a hard birth into the SEC.....

I am looking forward to this new adventure, no matter the power conference alignment for OSU, because I am tired of the two prima-donnas running the show!!! GO POKES!!!
I am afraid the two religious based schools get kicked to the curb and go Mt. West or AAC. The PAC probably only considers the large State schools like OSU, Tech, KU and KSU. The same for WVU and Iowa State although I see them headed to the BIG or ACC.
TeaTownCowboy
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Turrible fit IMO. That's being proactive I gue$$...
TUSKAPOKE
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Joe Khatib said:

TUSKAPOKE said:

I like your thoughts or.....

OSU/TT/TCU/BU or KSU to PAC12 to form the Super PAC 16

ISU/KU to B10

WVU to ACC

KSU or BU to AAC or Mountain West

Sewerners/Shorthorns to mediocrity in the SEC....all after the last two pay the blood money or stay to the end...force a hard birth into the SEC.....

I am looking forward to this new adventure, no matter the power conference alignment for OSU, because I am tired of the two prima-donnas running the show!!! GO POKES!!!
I am afraid the two religious based schools get kicked to the curb and go Mt. West or AAC. The PAC probably only considers the large State schools like OSU, Tech, KU and KSU. The same for WVU and Iowa State although I see them headed to the BIG or ACC.
If the $$$$$$$$$$$ is right, and TCU, TT, BU stick together because of TX politics, the PAC12 may forgive the religious schools to get a foothold in the central time zone and TX recruiting grounds. Throw the best of the bunch in there, OSU, and a "new" power conference has been created that covers three time zones and the west half of the USA. That might attract some network.
NJAggie
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Any configuration will attract networks, and we'll be as visible in the east as always. Nothing is going to change the blindness of the east coasters they are a small minded lot for the most part.

I think in the end its most likely a 4 team move, and would probably be OSU/TCU/TT/KSU.

Then you get a much better set of pods:

A: OSU/TCU/TT/KSU
B: UA/ASU/UU/CU
C: USC/UCLA/CAL/Stanford
D: UO/OR St/UW/WSU

I'm not really sure what the B1G does, I think they'd take ISU. And, if they did then OSU or KSU could be on board for that move. If that happens I'd bet UH gets the call to join the PAC.

KU & WVU may have a chance for the ACC, but I think that's a wait on ND deal
jrod1978
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For Pods (assuming it's a full merger) I would go:
Pod 1: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
Pod 2: Baylor, Colorado, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah
Pod 3: Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, UCLA, USC
Pod 4: Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State
Have a 10 game conference schedule consisting of four teams in your pod and two from each of the other pods.
Have the remaining two non-conference games as part of a scheduling alliance with the Big 10.

Now if West Virginia can get into the ACC, let them and then add Boise State:
Pod 1: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU
Pod 2: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Texas Tech
Pod 3: Cal, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah
Pod 4: Boise State, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State
GumbyFromPokeyLand
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Why would the PAC12 want to split the pie 20 ways when they could probably accomplish the necessary value upgrades with 16 teams?

Said differently, do the last 4 in add enough value to justify their addition?
Danny Deck
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The scheduling alliance makes way more sense for the Pac 12 than a full merger.
TUSKAPOKE
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PAC-12 question for Bowlsby: How do you replace a B12 ceiling light bulb?

Bowlsby: Let the Shorthorns and Sewerners hold the ladder while I just screw it up!
NJAggie
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The value for 8 over 4 is in the number of CTZ slots you open up. 8 gives you much more flexibility than 4. Remember you're only home 1/2 the time so at 4 you're working around a 2 team window at 8 you now have a four team window, and considering KU will be one of the teams that's a void in the possibilities.

Taking OSU/ISU/KSU/TT or TCU is your best 4 for the PAC, but I'd bet it goes to the 7, and then you could see a Houston or UNLV be #8. Or, they don't take a KU or BU and you see both those teams come in. Seems the PAC people really want to be in Houston and Las Vegas, and both those schools have potential. With KU you're only going to get basketball and more basketball with football that no one watches and non-competitive sports everywhere else. Baylor has the Baylor issues.

The one thing this could do is get the B1G to either move or not move. Although I do hear some rumblings from CU about them wanting to go to the B1G IF the PAC is going to add Big XII teams (seems their academics are so good they can't be associated with us). Which in a strange way might give the B1G what it needs to stay contiguous and add OSU with CU.

WVU is in a bit of a hole as the ACC looks unable or unwilling to add anyone until ND says yes or their contract with the ACC runs out (and that's like 10 years from now).

It will be interesting to learn what came out of the talks.
CaliforniaCowboy
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exactly... it is not sufficient to only look at TV viewer numbers and consider that to be the "value".

... and... long term value, or short term value? What happens in 3-4 years in college football may be waaay different than what happens in 5-10 years.

the conferences need to position themselves for the long term future, not the dollars in my pocket the next 2 years.

I think you are right on point .... and I have yet to see a detailed analysis of a "teams value". The short term value of your team is determined solely upon your on-field performance (per Mike Gundy interview).

... but what is the value of multiple time-zones, and expansion of ALL teams values (UW, AZ, CO, etc.) In addition to the "value" that the new teams may add, the existing teams' value should also increase due to the extended exposure that is the subject of most posts and articles.

GumbyFromPokeyLand
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No doubt 8 additional CTZ teams give you more flexibility. But does the need for more than one noon ETZ kickoff every week outweigh the value dilution by adding an additional 4 CTZ teams? My sense is only 4 CTZ teams are needed to accomplish the goal.

On a separate note, I could see the B12 and PAC sign a five year scheduling alliance beginning next year, potentially excluding UT and OU from the deal. This would improve both the PAC and B12's near-term TV value, give the PAC some noon kickoffs and serve as a dating period for future expansion.
CaliforniaCowboy
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looks like it's time to end the SEC basketball challenge too....

screw em... let's play the 12Pac, the B1G or the ACC

NJAggie
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These talks look serious as they had planned and are holding the 2nd day of talks today.
Joe Khatib
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So how did that Texas politics work put in 2010 and the most recent situation with Texas. A&M left to the SEC and now Texas has left for that conference as well. This is every one for themselves and a large State school like Tech and it's supporters isn't going to be shackled to two small private schools.
TUSKAPOKE
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Joe Khatib said:

So how did that Texas politics work put in 2010 and the most recent situation with Texas. A&M left to the SEC and now Texas has left for that conference as well. This is every one for themselves and a large State school like Tech and it's supporters isn't going to be shackled to two small private schools.
How did TX politics work? TCU and BU got in to the BIG 12.....remember?
Joe Khatib
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Ummm, Were Baylor or TCU one of the Texas schools that was going to receive an invite in 2010. NOPE, it was Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. TCU got extremely lucky due to the circumstances to get into the Big XII for the last ten years but I don't think them or Baylor make the cut this time. It is every team for themselves and we should worry about OSU and it's possibilities, Thank God we are the position that we occupy today.
TUSKAPOKE
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Joe Khatib said:

Ummm, Were Baylor or TCU one of the Texas schools that was going to receive an invite in 2010. NOPE, it was Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. TCU got extremely lucky due to the circumstances to get into the Big XII for the last ten years but I don't think them or Baylor make the cut this time. It is every team for themselves and we should worry about OSU and it's possibilities, Thank God we are the position that we occupy today.
Ummm....I am not worried about OSU and I also do not underestimate TX politics even with two small religious private schools. The other aspect of those two, TCU and BU, is the DFW viewers and that recruiting ground that is very important to the health of OSU success and conference TV ratings.
TUSKAPOKE
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As I watched Ancient Aliens tonight and cruised the internet, there is a report, the PAC-12, B1G, and ACC are exploring a scheduling alliance and the Tiny-12, with Bowlsby at the helm, is discussing expanding to include AAC teams, Boise and BYU. Bowlsby has been left out of the "alliance" discussions because he is so well respected. I believe OSU leadership must go it alone and get into one of the other conferences. The "new" BIG 12 will be the "island of misfit football teams" and OSU needs to be gone. This is going on as the SEC is probably planning on a super league of 32 teams modeled after the NFL and their aggression will not stop with the Sewerners and Shorthorns.
NJAggie
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Well the alliance is to cap the SEC's moves, and make sure they can't control the NCAA changes (or post NCAA set up). Which is all very good news.

The bad news is that there isn't any inclusion of the Big XII, and basically they are stating they aren't adding teams.

So it looks more likely we have to go forward outside the Power conference structure unless those three keep us in the fold as additional weight against the SEC.

What would be funny is if having no where else to go for teams the SEC was forced to pull the Big 8 and the AAC in to get more votes than the alliances 41.
CaliforniaCowboy
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yeah... yeah... that's it. Two Leagues.

The SEC league and the Alliance League (all other BCS teams). The Leagues don't schedule each other.

The winner of the SEC League plays the winner of the Alliance League for first ever true National Championship.

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