Brett Yormark, the Big 12 and the Red River: Everybody Wins

It’s been over a 12 months and a half since the news broke that Texas and Oklahoma had been leaving the Big 12 Conference to hitch the SEC. We went by way of a whole summer time of the nationwide media burying the Big 12 earlier than the convention introduced the additions of the 4 news faculties in September 2021.

After that, the subsequent massive query was: when would Texas and Oklahoma go away? Both faculties had been scheduled to be in the Big 12 till July of 2025, however all of us knew that wasn’t going to stay for very lengthy. Well, it didn’t as a result of on Thursday night it was introduced that each faculties could be becoming a member of the SEC in 2024, which is a full 12 months forward of schedule.

What occurred precisely? Well, Texas and Oklahoma determined to open up the checkbook and paid $100 million {dollars} to get out early. Just a couple of days in the past, the two faculties met with FOX and the Big 12 to strive and come to an settlement. That first assembly didn’t go wherever as a result of the Big 12 and FOX mainly advised Texas and Oklahoma to both pay up or shut up. I assume the two faculties obtained the memo as a result of they lastly opened up the pockets.

One might argue that this settlement favors Texas and Oklahoma, whereas others argue that the Big 12 received this deal. However, each may be true on this case.

Think about this for a second: The Big 12 wished to be compensated and they had been. If they let the contract expire in 2025, they might have gotten nothing for Texas and Oklahoma leaving. Instead, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark obtained one thing in return. This was enormous for the convention and for the faculties that can receives a commission as effectively.

As for Texas and Oklahoma, they obtained what they wished. They get to go away the Big 12 one 12 months early and be part of the convention they wish to be in. Lets face it. Neither faculty wished to be in the Big 12 any longer. They have spent the final two seasons on the outdoors trying in as they couldn’t take their eyes off that SEC emblem.

The Big 12 hasn’t been pleased and neither has Texas or Oklahoma. So why wait?

There was no want to pull this any additional as the frustration would have constructed by the day. Why would the Big 12 wish to maintain two faculties hostage for one more two seasons after they don’t wish to be part of the convention any longer? It was greatest for everybody to only go their separate methods.

Will the 2023 soccer season be awkward?  Absolutely.

Texas and Oklahoma aren’t going to get the royal remedy on their approach out. They might be dealing with hostile street environments as a result of the different Big 12 faculties know that that is most probably their final shot at them for a very long time, if ever once more.  

We know when Texas and Oklahoma are leaving and we all know the new look Big 12 might be full going into 2024. However, the subsequent focus ought to be enlargement.

The Pac-12 is in full shambles as faculties are getting annoyed with commissioner George Kliavkoff. Now is the time for Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark to strike. So far, he has confirmed that he’s aggressive and I absolutely count on him to proceed to be aggressive relating to enlargement. The Big 12 obtained paid and now it’s time to maintain the momentum going and head west. While I’m not positive which Pac-12 faculties could be in favor of becoming a member of the Big 12, I’m positive of 1 factor: That commissioner Brett Yormark will proceed to make this convention higher.

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