David Boren would like to end The Longhorn Network

[huskers1217]

Texas would just be smart to let the, already established, Longhorn network morph into a B12 channel.

I don't think the Big 12 wants to be associated with that clusterfuck. just start a new one

 

[Wild Turkey]

You're wrong, the key is to have your own online network as a school. ESPN is in a horrible position, they've paid to much for sports rights and are now forced to stick it out with cable companies. Basically the LHN and SEC network will stay on cable, while everybody else moves to streaming. I posted an article somewhere showing ESPN would go bankrupt if they tried a Netflix model, their only hope is for suckers like me to keep paying for cable. Eventually schools will all have their own online network, why should you sit through a bama/LSU baseball game when you would prefer Auburn vs Georgia?

I'm not wrong the next move will be an on demand subscription based model and the cost of the infrastructure of getting that done is going to be substantial and content is going to be key for them to be successful. A single school no matter who it is will have the resources.

Games are going to have to be shot, announcers paid and a quality product rolled out and the best way to do that and make it profitable is economies of scale. This is why the SEC Network owns 100% of it's content and not ESPN. The fact is schools like Iowa State, Vandy, Wake Forest, Washington State will never be able to afford to own their own networks so that model is not even feasible.

The only way to pull it off successfully is subscription based with economies of scale. If you think otherwise you have your head in the sand. Texas is killing the Big 12 and they won't get hurt they will just move on to the PAC but make no mistake if changes aren't made then the Big 12 will eventually fold. I've been saying it for years and there is nothing that makes me want to change that view in fact it just gets stronger.

 

[Wild Turkey]

Oh yeah, we are the generation of Netflix, we click a button and watch whatever the heck we want, when we want. I'm telling you, UT and the SEC is stuck with ESPN and their inability to go to this model, the other conferences should start moving to this streaming model. Boren wanting a Big 12 network is like wanting to invest in VCRs.

No one is stuck if the cable channels stop making revenue then the partnership changes to a production based model as the games still have to be shot and ESPN has the infrastructure to do it and do it well. Individual schools don't have the cash to build that kind of infrastructure because you are talking millions in capital cost and then millions to maintain it.

This isn't shoot the game with $500 camera and loan to youtube operation.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Very small pool of available schools that bring value.

BYU
Cincy
USF or UCF
Memphis
East Carolina
UConn
Colorado State

That's pretty much your pool.

And it SUCKS...no benefit to expanding if those are the best options

 

[Codaxx]

The biggest problem with the Big 12 network is that people assume it will make money like the Big 10 and SEC. I just do not see where that logic comes from. Big 12 has the smallest population footprint of any conference. 20% of the conference is private schools. Only 40% of the conference represents a flagship University. It just has poor assets. It is has a very poor long term outlook. There will be massive changes coming in how we view college football and perhaps in how CFB is organized. At that pt, I am guessing the pool of FBS shrinks dramatically. I would not be surprised if the Big12 disappears and it wouldnt be shocker to see all conferences disappear

 

[Lance Armstrong]

No one is stuck if the cable channels stop making revenue then the partnership changes to a production based model as the games still have to be shot and ESPN has the infrastructure to do it and do it well. Individual schools don't have the cash to build that kind of infrastructure because you are talking millions in capital cost and then millions to maintain it.

This isn't shoot the game with $500 camera and loan to youtube operation.

You are stuck, since ESPN is stuck. They can't go to a netflix model, i'll try to find the article saying the'yre stuck in the cable model. I'm not bashing the SEC, UT is also stuck since we're also an ESPN channel.

 

[Wild Turkey]

The biggest problem with the Big 12 network is that people assume it will make money like the Big 10 and SEC. I just do not see where that logic comes from. Big 12 has the smallest population footprint of any conference. 20% of the conference is private schools. Only 40% of the conference represents a flagship University. It just has poor assets. It is has a very poor long term outlook. There will be massive changes coming in how we view college football and perhaps in how CFB is organized. At that pt, I am guessing the pool of FBS shrinks dramatically. I would not be surprised if the Big12 disappears and it wouldnt be shocker to see all conferences disappear

As the Big 12 stands right now you are probably correct. The key is expansion which is something the Big 12 is going to need to do in order to survive otherwise it will die on the vine.

The Big 12 needs to add new states with high populations and it does not need to double up in those states in order to maximize the footprint. Adding TCU and West Virginia were huge mistakes on the part of the Big 12:

1. TCU gained you zero market share.
2. KY has a population over 4mm and West Virginia is under 2mm - Louisville should have been the choice.

The Big 12 should really add 4 teams my suggestion would be:

- Central Florida - Enrollment 60K+ and state population of 20mm
- Memphis - Enrollment 20K+ and state population of 6.5mm
- Cincinnati - Enrollment 43K+ and state population of 11.6mm
- UConn - Enrollment 31K and state population of 3.6mm

Maybe:
- East carolina - Enrollment 27K and state population of 9.9mm
- Colorado State - Enrollment 32K and state population of 5.3mm
- BYU - Enrollment 29K and state population of 2.9mm

There just aren't any great options Texas and Oklahoma just need to go to the PAC and the Big 12 fold. I could see the SEC taking Kansas and Oklahoma State at that point and adding 2 more states to the footprint. The PAC might consider taking two more just to solidify an entry into the a new time zone but there aren't many attractive options that bring new markets.

The more I think about there are plenty of Big 12 schools that are about to be screwed royally.

 

[Wild Turkey]

You are stuck, since ESPN is stuck. They can't go to a netflix model, i'll try to find the article saying the'yre stuck in the cable model. I'm not bashing the SEC, UT is also stuck since we're also an ESPN channel.

You can maintain the partnership and change the distribution model. No one is stuck there is too much money and too many smart people involved.

 

[Codaxx]

As the Big 12 stands right now you are probably correct. The key is expansion which is something the Big 12 is going to need to do in order to survive otherwise it will die on the vine.

The Big 12 needs to add new states with high populations and it does not need to double up in those states in order to maximize the footprint. Adding TCU and West Virginia were huge mistakes on the part of the Big 12:

1. TCU gained you zero market share.
2. KY has a population over 4mm and West Virginia is under 2mm - Louisville should have been the choice.

The Big 12 should really add 4 teams my suggestion would be:

- Central Florida - Enrollment 60K+ and state population of 20mm
- Memphis - Enrollment 20K+ and state population of 6.5mm
- Cincinnati - Enrollment 43K+ and state population of 11.6mm
- UConn - Enrollment 31K and state population of 3.6mm

Maybe:
- East carolina - Enrollment 27K and state population of 9.9mm
- Colorado State - Enrollment 32K and state population of 5.3mm
- BYU - Enrollment 29K and state population of 2.9mm

There just aren't any great options Texas and Oklahoma just need to go to the PAC and the Big 12 fold. I could see the SEC taking Kansas and Oklahoma State at that point and adding 2 more states to the footprint. The PAC might consider taking two more just to solidify an entry into the a new time zone but there aren't many attractive options that bring new markets.

The more I think about there are plenty of Big 12 schools that are about to be screwed royally.

I dont think the Big 12 is in the position to simply add schools in populated areas. People slammed the big for their moves on Rutgers and Maryland as just money grabs, but those are at least flagship schools with potential. Both are in/near reasonable recruiting grounds. There are paths for success. I see no path for a school like East Carolina. It is a marginal asset at best and simply a finger in the dam.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

You can maintain the partnership and change the distribution model. No one is stuck there is too much money and too many smart people involved.

Oh i get that, i mean ESPN themselves can't go to the netflix model. And since you and I are married to ESPN, we also can't.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

I dont think the Big 12 is in the position to simply add schools in populated areas. People slammed the big for their moves on Rutgers and Maryland as just money grabs, but those are at least flagship schools with potential. Both are in/near reasonable recruiting grounds. There are paths for success. I see no path for a school like East Carolina. It is a marginal asset at best and simply a finger in the dam.

That's why I think the big 12 is waiting to see if the Big ten and SEC go after ACC schools. With the ACC making the least amount of money, and with the ACC already sitting in the footprint of the SEC and Big ten it makes sense that after the GOR expires those 2 conferences go after them.

 

[GoldRusher]

That's why I think the big 12 is waiting to see if the Big ten and SEC go after ACC schools. With the ACC making the least amount of money, and with the ACC already sitting in the footprint of the SEC and Big ten it makes sense that after the GOR expires those 2 conferences go after them.

Maybe Borens thinking is get say a Houston and Temple now for those 2 top 10 markets plus money for CCG then go after the ACC when the other P5's do. FSU/Clemson plus those new markets??

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Maybe Borens thinking is get say a Houston and Temple now for those 2 top 10 markets plus money for CCG then go after the ACC when the other P5's do. FSU/Clemson plus those new markets??

Houston wouldn't be a new market, and Temple's 15 mins are over. Boren can't see past tomorrow, guy has no vision. He's a msg board sports fan who happens to have some power. The big 12 should stand pat, wait for the next round of shake ups. As for the network, i've already said why that's a dying model anyway. Think forward Borens, not backwards.

 

[Wild Turkey]

I dont think the Big 12 is in the position to simply add schools in populated areas. People slammed the big for their moves on Rutgers and Maryland as just money grabs, but those are at least flagship schools with potential. Both are in/near reasonable recruiting grounds. There are paths for success. I see no path for a school like East Carolina. It is a marginal asset at best and simply a finger in the dam.

I agree. I did minimal research and under the cable model it would work but the way things are headed it just makes the conference look like shit quite frankly. That is why I said you guys just need to head to the PAC because the writing is on the wall.

I don't agree with some of your fellow Longhorns that individual school networks are viable so moving to the PAC is really the only choice and it becomes a win/win for Texas and the PAC. The LHN will have to go but that would be a small sacrifice for the long play.

 

[Wild Turkey]

Oh i get that, i mean ESPN themselves can't go to the netflix model. And since you and I are married to ESPN, we also can't.

Dude they are owned by Disney which includes ABC. They could buy Netflix if they wanted and change the model overnight. There are tons of options so relax everything will be fine, besides I see ESPN letting you out of the LHN and you joining the PAC now anyway.

 

[Wild Turkey]

That's why I think the big 12 is waiting to see if the Big ten and SEC go after ACC schools. With the ACC making the least amount of money, and with the ACC already sitting in the footprint of the SEC and Big ten it makes sense that after the GOR expires those 2 conferences go after them.

This is what I really want to happen but it isn't. The Big 12 is on borrowed time and Boren just put the first nail in. I hate to admit it but Hornsstampede makes a lot of sense in his thought process about Boren positioning to bolt. I didn't see it at first but when you start looking real close at the situation it becomes very clear big change is needed and there aren't easy or viable solutions available.

I would love for the ACC to fold and the SEC grab North Carolina and Virginia Tech both would be huge gets.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Dude they are owned by Disney which includes ABC. They could buy Netflix if they wanted and change the model overnight. There are tons of options so relax everything will be fine, besides I see ESPN letting you out of the LHN and you joining the PAC now anyway.

Sorry MR. Turkey, its not that simple.

A new report shows that ESPN is in trouble for 2 big reasons

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

I would love for the ACC to fold and the SEC grab North Carolina and Virginia Tech both would be huge gets.

Hard to separate those two schools from their conjoined twins, Duke and Virginia.

Really, the NCAA should just tell these leagues:

"All right, everything below the Mason-Dixon line and East of the Mississippi is now the SEC...everything above Mason-Dixon and East of the Great Lakes is the Big Ten..."

 

[Goldbug]

I am not sure that the Pac 12, B1G or SEC wouldn't take little brother schools. For starters, OU and UT are elite blue blood programs so the temptation to get one (or both) of them would be too tempting not to accept a decent little brother. Okie Jr. and TCU don't have flies on them; they're good programs in more than one sport. How many of us have married a girl in spite of getting a half-assed mother-in-law in the bargain? Sometimes it's worth it.

 

[starbigd]

This really isn't a LHN issue.....but getting rid of it would make things easier for the conference to collapse, that's for sure.

There are those here that simply want to bash Texas, as if the entire conference didn't CHOOSE this path on their own.

I agree that Boren is transitioning OU to leave......and most likely it's the PAC12 he's looking at. So was Powers when he was the UT president. The PAC NEEDS games in the central time zone because their network is dying as well, to expand their footprint.

This gives Texas and OU leverage. As far as the LHN goes, I have no idea how they break that contract......I know they attempted to in the first potential move to the PAC, but they couldn't figure out how to fold it in......and Texas is going to want to control their third tier rights unless they can get a guarantee on revenues for those games.

This should be entertaining to see.