Turned away by the Pac-12, the Big 12’s most powerful members are trying to find ways to live together again after weeks of hurtling toward a breakup.
Texas president William Powers declared Wednesday that the Longhorns — who receive more media money than other members of the Big 12 — are open to a new revenue- sharing model and have already suggested that top-level television and cable money be shared equally.
What’s not on the table is the money from Texas’ 20- year, $300 million deal with ESPN to create The Longhorn Network, which has been blamed in large part for Texas A&M’s pending departure for the Southeastern Conference.
“That’s never been in play; that’s not in play,” Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said.
So with that line drawn in the sand, the Big 12 leadership scheduled a key meeting for today, Oklahoma president David Boren said.
Oklahoma officials said Tuesday they would remain in the league only if commissioner Dan Beebe was removed from his post.
But the conference realignment wheels are still turning, especially with the Aggies planning to leave as soon as legal threats are out of the way.
Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis, a member of the league’s expansion committee, listed Air Force, TCU, Houston, SMU, BYU and Utah among the potential expansion targets before saying, “We’ve talked about a lot of ideas.”
Oklahoma State’s regents gave school Hargis the power to depart the Big 12 if necessary while regents in Kansas reiterated their support for staying in the Big 12.
Regents in Missouri are scheduled to meet today. The SEC has an informal offer on the table for Missouri to join its league.
East Carolina of Conference USA announced it has applied for membership in the Big East, where members are trying to rebuild after Syracuse and Pittsburgh accepted invitations to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Navy and Air Force are the top choices as football-only members, The Associated Press reported.
Footnotes.
East Baton Rouge (La.) Parish District Attorney Hiller Moore said a grand jury is scheduled to reconvene next week for what will probably be its last hearing on the roles of LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and reserve linebacker Josh John during a bar fight Aug. 19.
• Oregon State flanker James Rodgers, who is coming off two surgeries on his left knee, has been cleared to play Saturday against UCLA.
• Former Missouri running back and team leader Derrick Washington faces a seven- year sentence after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a former tutor who said he attacked her in her sleep in June 2010.
Denver Post wire services
