(03-24-2021 10:28 PM)JRsec Wrote: And where is the evidence of your claims besides in assertions that business decisions are based upon, ego. Texas didn't acquire the #1 business model in college sports by making irrational decisions. So what rationale would they make these decisions upon?
I contend that heretofore it has not been about money per se, nor has it been about academics as indicated by their indifference to conference mates' departures and their cadre of friends in the SWC and the Big II 2.0. Everything they have done has been to preserve a business model that plays the majority of its games in state whether home or away, and neighbors within a reasonable driving distance for fans.
My money is that if forced to choose they will do whatever best preserves that model and who went where previously won't make a bit of difference. No emotion, no ego, just preservation of what works for them.
I would amend that slightly to say that Texas is not solely interested in "preserving" their business model; they are interested in both preserving it and "expanding" it. Back in 1994, when they first started orchestrating the break-up of the SWC, they were the most profitable college sports program, but now, not only have they remained that, they have also vastly widened the gap between themselves and scores of others, who used to be closer. And the original deal was for just them and A&M to merge with the Big8, so they were at least initially contemplating not having so many in-state games and conference mates. Being "forced" to take Baylor and Tech with them actually turned out well for them though.
I think in the run-up to 2024, they will once again contemplate a changed model and I think they will flirt with and investigate all possible options. But I agree with you that they will stay with what works if they possibly can. And the fact that they are tied to the ESPN LHN deal until 2031 limits the range of choices that they will really seriously consider.
As for tagalongs, OU is the main one. They aren't tied to Baylor or TCU at all. There will be some political pressure to not hurt Tech and to ensure that, if they are separated, Tech has a soft landing. But they do like having local in-state games (the RRR; the frequent Rice games) and the Frogs and Bears do provide that. So it's not like 1994 when they really did want to separate from the "privates;" now, they'd do it if the deal they negotiate calls for it, but it's not such a driving force.
What I think is that they'll preen and they'll flirt and they'll talk and then they'll end up staying put until at least 2031. They like being the center of attention. It's kind of amazing that they haven't really been nationally relevant in football since 2009 (and TCU is 7-2 against the Longhorns in the Big12), but they are still #1 in money, revenue and business model despite Bama, Clemson and Ohio State (and OU) being massively better in actual performance over the last decade.