Big money donors pushing the SEC hard to Boren

[Sooner23]

Talked to a fairly big donor who says the push is on for the SEC amongst some of the major donors. They want a more enticing home schedule if they are going to continue to pony up in the future.

"If we're going to lose four games a year, would rather it be to the LSUs, Tennessees, Alabama's, Auburns, South Carolina's" than the OSU/Baylor/TCU/KState types."

"The SEC and it's hype isn't going away with its new network and ESPN affiliation. It's all the rage amongst recruits and spreading fast in Texas. Might as well join it and reap its benefits, get more exciting home opponents, screw Texas (after they screwed the Pac 12 deal last time around) and it knocks Baylor/TCU back off their current pedestal in the pecking order of recruits in Texas."

Some more notes from conversation......

* The SEC offer is still on the table, but for OU only. They do not want OSU. He says the talk is that OU can definitely break away from OSU. OSU won't like it and throw a massive fit, but at the end of the day there's nothing that can be done about it by the legislature, despite what you hear.

* Boren had preferred Big 10 or Pac 12, but is coming around after the donor outcry. The Pac 12 won't take just OU and OSU, they have to come with Texas and one other (preferably Kansas). However, Texas' LHN network deal with ESPN is a huge stumbling block because the Pac 12 Network is with Fox, and ESPN does not want to lose Texas to Fox.

* If OU makes the move, don't worry about the "Granting of Rights". The Big 12 will crumble and it will be a moot point. Texas will not try to keep it together. They would look to ACC (because of relationship between ACC Network and LHN Network with ESPN) or Independent. West Virginia will go ACC (they tried to get WV a year after they joined the Big 12) and Kansas to the Big 10.

Anyone else heard about Boren getting SEC pressure from donors? Again, this guy isn't from the major donor circle, but from a guy who is high enough up the food chain to know what the major donors are thinking.

As always take it FWIW.

 

[Sooner23]

Also, he says the talk is that Texas is infatuated with the ACC because of the Notre Dame and ESPN tie-ins (again ESPN does the LHN and will also be launching the ACC Network). In Texas' perfect world, ND would join the ACC full-time and they (along with OU/OSU and whoever else from the Big 12 the ACC would take) could be in an "ACC Western Division" and get annual games against Notre Dame. It's a longshot, but that's Texas' pipedream if they were to leave the Big 12.

 

[greenbug]

I agree with the donors. I'd rather go 8-4 against the big boys than who we're currently losing to. Our recruiting would pick up big time. We'd be able to hang with the big boys once we get the players. Either way, it'd be super exciting to watch us play marquee opponents just about every week.
OAN. The basketball schedule is not that exciting, but it'll do.

 

[NickZepp]

If OU goes to another conference it's the Big 10. Don't see OU going to the SEC because it's just not that good a sports conference. Even in it's strongest sport it's not really near as strong as people think. Also Boren cares more for academics which is why it's B1G or PAC or staying in the Big 12.

 

[betterstill]

The situation is crumbling. We can't sit around and wait for the B1G or for Texas to decide to do something. Our donor support is slipping and some more losing seasons and our inability to recruit as well as the likes of Baylor and TCU will continue the loss of donor support.

A move to the SEC would energize the program and the support. To not do so is playing a dangerous game.

 

[thegreyghost]

If OU goes to another conference it's the Big 10. Don't see OU going to the SEC because it's just not that good a sports conference. Even in it's strongest sport it's not really near as strong as people think. Also Boren cares more for academics which is why it's B1G or PAC or staying in the Big 12.

Did you miss the college baseball and softball World Series, dominated by SEC schools

 

[KBaden145]

If OU goes to another conference it's the Big 10. Don't see OU going to the SEC because it's just not that good a sports conference. Even in it's strongest sport it's not really near as strong as people think. Also Boren cares more for academics which is why it's B1G or PAC or staying in the Big 12.

Not sure if serious or just not paying attention...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WTSooner]

OU isn't going to the Big 10. You can take that to the bank.

I'm not a big fan of going to the SEC, but I do realize it might be one of the best options left. Big 12 blew it by not expanding soon enough to grab another solid school or two.

I don't really like any of the conference options for OU. The PAC-XX is too far away, and doesn't fit culturally. Big 10 isn't very good, doesn't fit culturally, and isn't a fit academically. And honestly, I don't think we're a great fit in the SEC.

Also not sure I buy that OU wants to, or will, separate from OSU. Especially if Boren is involved. Can't see him doing that. So if we go to the SEC, who is the SEC going to get to keep an even number of teams?

 

[jackson_supersooner]

http://frankthetank.me/tag/oklahoma-sooners/

Sound familiar?

 

[KBaden145]

OU isn't going to the Big 10. You can take that to the bank.

I'm not a big fan of going to the SEC, but I do realize it might be one of the best options left. Big 12 blew it by not expanding soon enough to grab another solid school or two.

I don't really like any of the conference options for OU. The PAC-XX is too far away, and doesn't fit culturally. Big 10 isn't very good, doesn't fit culturally, and isn't a fit academically. And honestly, I don't think we're a great fit in the SEC.

Also not sure I buy that OU wants to, or will, separate from OSU. Especially if Boren is involved. Can't see him doing that. So if we go to the SEC, who is the SEC going to get to keep an even number of teams?

A couple of things:

I've always thought we were more connected to ut in this realignment business. I think there is difference between begin connected to OState and fighting for them to come with us. Its like getting picked for a team on the playground. OU would get picked early and, when the time was right, give a suggestion that OState get picked too. Whether OState gets picked or not, OU goes.

Also, I would think the logical choice for the SEC would be to add OU in the west and force Florida on board with inviting Florida State into the league.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BoulderSooner]

A couple of things:

I've always thought we were more connected to ut in this realignment business. I think there is difference between begin connected to OState and fighting for them to come with us. Its like getting picked for a team on the playground. OU would get picked early and, when the time was right, give a suggestion that OState get picked too. Whether OState gets picked or not, OU goes.

Also, I would think the logical choice for the SEC would be to add OU in the west and force Florida on board with inviting Florida State into the league.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

the sec has no reason to invite any school in a state that it already has a school ..

same with the BIG ... both because of how conf network fees work ..

 

[campbest]

Anything that moves the conference tournament to VEGAS I am all for.

 

[Eielson]

Also, he says the talk is that Texas is infatuated with the ACC because of the Notre Dame and ESPN tie-ins (again ESPN does the LHN and will also be launching the ACC Network). In Texas' perfect world, ND would join the ACC full-time and they (along with OU/OSU and whoever else from the Big 12 the ACC would take) could be in an "ACC Western Division" and get annual games against Notre Dame. It's a longshot, but that's Texas' pipedream if they were to leave the Big 12.

I think some form of merger between the ACC and Big XII is the most likely scenario, and it's probably the best option. It would be a lot easier if the ACC joined the Big XII than the other way around, though.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I think some form of merger between the ACC and Big XII is the most likely scenario, and it's probably the best option. It would be a lot easier if the ACC joined the Big XII than the other way around, though.

i think this will happen also ..

the BIG and SEC are going to both expand again ... and I think that will kill the ACC .. then the BIG 12 will have its choice of some teams ... starting with Clemson, FSU, and Miami ..

 

[AdaSooner]

If OU goes to another conference it's the Big 10. Don't see OU going to the SEC because it's just not that good a sports conference. Even in it's strongest sport it's not really near as strong as people think. Also Boren cares more for academics which is why it's B1G or PAC or staying in the Big 12.

Yeah, but Boren cares more about the money.

If the big money donors push hard enough for a move to the SEC, the Big 12 will be nothing but a distant memory. I don't like the idea either. But, you'd better believe that "money talks" in David Boren's world.

 

[tycat947]

the sec has no reason to invite any school in a state that it already has a school ..

same with the BIG ... both because of how conf network fees work ..

Exactly! Fla State and Clemson would have already been members of SEC by now.

 

[sperry]

With oil and natural gas down, OU needs the cash infusion the SEC can provide. Big XII is treading water money wise for now, but they are going to get lapped by the other conferences. The alumni base and regional footprint of the Big XII just doesn't hold a candle to the other conferences.

 

[skyvue]

If I were a big donor, I think I'd focus on how we can stop losing four games a season rather than who we lose those four games to. What a cockeyed approach to the situation that is.

Here's where the teams we lost to finished in the final USA Coaches poll last season: #3, #8, #15, #18 and a fluke upset loss to an unranked rivalry opponent. If, instead, we'd lost to the top four highest ranked SEC teams and a bowl opponent (I'll stick with Clemson there), we'd have lost to nos. 4, 9, 11, 12, and 15.

Would that really have made anyone feel better? Sorry, I don't buy it.

As for the above reference to the possibility of us suffering through some more "losing seasons," we haven't had one of those since the 1990s. Let's step in off the ledge, please.

 

[bocabull]

Did you miss the college baseball and softball World Series, dominated by SEC schools

Yes I did like everybody else. Nobody watches those snoozer sports.

 

[sperry]

If I were a big donor, I think I'd focus on how we can stop losing four games a season rather than who we lose those four games to. What a cockeyed approach to the situation that is.

Here's where the teams we lost to finished in the final USA Coaches poll last season: #3, #8, #15, #18 and a fluke upset loss to an unranked rivalry opponent. If, instead, we'd lost to the top four highest ranked SEC teams and a bowl opponent (I'll stick with Clemson there), we'd have lost to nos. 4, 9, 11, 12, and 15.

Would that really have made anyone feel better? Sorry, I don't buy it.

As for the above reference to the possibility of us suffering through some more "losing seasons," we haven't had one of those since the 1990s. Let's step in off the ledge, please.

It would at least help with ticket sales. This year's home schedule is embarrassingly bad.