No Federal Government Involvement Needed in Realignment, but Kansas Senator Trying

STILLWATER – The situation involving realignment and conference upheaval in college football and college athletics has already reached political and government levels as the legislature in Texas convened a meeting on “the future of college sports in Texas” a couple of weeks ago.

Now it has reached the Federal level as Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, the ranking republican on this committee, has asked the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to hold a hearing to examine conference realignment's effect on the "state of competitiveness within college athletics," as well as the role of broadcast companies in realignment.

Honestly, while this might seem like a possible lifeline to the remaining schools in the Big 12 after the announced eventual departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference, I believe political, or government involvement would be detrimental to Oklahoma State.

This was initially reported on Friday by The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury. In a letter obtained by The Mercury, Sen. Moran said he was “extremely troubled” by recent allegations that broadcast networks such as ESPN have used their influence to give incentive and move other conferences to cause harm and even work to dissolve some conferences.

U.S. Senate Photographic Studio, Renee Bouchard

Senator Jerry Moran (R) Kansas

Sen. Moran represents the first district of Kansas and has Big 12 schools Kansas and Kansas State in his district. Moran, himself, is a graduate of Kansas with both an undergraduate degree and a law degree from the school.

In his letter, Moran stated the realignment of conferences and the possibility of the Big 12 being dissolved could have a "severe economic impact" on college towns like Lawrence and Manhattan in his state.

Texas Senate

Bowlsby testifying in the Texas Senate

All of that is well and good, but Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and the other leaders from the remaining Big 12 schools in Texas looked “whiney” in the Texas legislature during that committee meeting. Yes, the economics of communities and of the universities themselves will be impacted by conference realignment. However, better or worse, the educational community, the schools themselves, have allowed college athletics, particularly football, to become big business. In business moves are made and strong entities thrive and typically get stronger and weaker ones move to a different place.

I don’t see it appropriate for government to step in with conference realignment. The Big 12 leadership was asleep at the switch and had a hand in losing its’ grip on the two schools departing. Now, the landscape is still changing. Yes, the remaining schools have a stake in staying together and milking all the financial requirements out of the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma when it comes to their media grant in rights and any exit fees.

However, each of these schools including Oklahoma State must explore and maintain the option to change conferences themselves for their future security and success. That is exactly what Oklahoma State University President Dr. Kayse Shrum, and her team have been doing.

If and/or when you see an Oklahoma U.S. Senator or Representative engaging in similar activity, then you will know that things have become dire for Oklahoma State in terms of conference realignment.