Early exit for Texas, Oklahoma to SEC could be aided by future nonconference games at Big 12 stadiums
The Longhorns and Sooners hope to join the SEC in 2024, a year before presently scheduled
www.cbssports.com
Some interesting information laid out in this article. Here are some of those quotes of interest
- It is likely any deal involving the Longhorns and Sooners joining the SEC a year early in 2024 would include Big 12 rightsholders being made whole with a series of future nonconference games involving those teams within the league's footprint, industry sources tell CBS Sports.
- Texas and Oklahoma are using SEC TV consultant Alan Gold to facilitate a deal, sources tell CBS Sports. The idea would be to "use games as currency" -- atoning for the viewership decline with Texas and Oklahoma playing a selection of future nonconference games at Big 12 schools.
- "They would have to play games in the [Big 12] footprint so Fox and ESPN can have value," an industry source told CBS Sports. "If ESPN and Fox are happy, [the Big 12] would be happy." That could potentially lead to the continuation of the Bedlam series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State that was expected to end when OU joined the SEC in 2025.
- OU's ratings were down significantly during an uncharacteristic 6-6 season. Industry analysts told CBS Sports that the ratings of games involving the other eight current Big 12 schools were up almost 50%.
- Texas and Oklahoma would at least owe the Big 12 a termination fee for leaving early. The contract states any school departing early owes two years' worth of revenue. Using an average annual figure of $42 million, the Big 12 could reap as much as $168 million if Texas and Oklahoma give notice to the league 18 months in advance. That sum could be negotiated down depending on each side's willingness to get a deal done. Whatever monies are paid could conceivably be used to fund Big 12 expansion, sources told CBS Sports. It could also be distributed to existing members.
