Big XII Commissioner

[Sawyer]

I say screw Mizzou and the state. I have a friend who works at the OU athletics office. Both Joe C. and Boren were assured by the Mizzou President and the Governor of Missouri that they would not leave if OU did not leave. OU had invitations to both SEC and Pac 12. OU did not want to leave the big 12, and with assurance from Mizzou they turned them down. THen look what Mizzou did. Big 12 will not even exist in 10 to 15 years because of the loss of Mizzou and A&M. OU needed to leave when the had the chance. I am a big time KC royals fan, but have not been to a game since this occurred as they play in Missouri.( sure its being petty, and I am sure I will return at some point.) But with the information I have been given, this was an extremely slimy deal that Mizzou did.

I don't doubt what you heard, but it's only one side of the deal. Mizzou's chancellor wanted to stay even after most Mizzou fans were set on leaving. The change for him (and ultimately for Mizzou) after Boren's "handcuffs" press conference. He held his own press conference (our chancellor was chairman of the Big 12 board of directors and should have been the spokesman for that meeting; instead, his scheduled press conference was undercut). What he announced was not what Deaton agreed to for Mizzou, and he took that as yet another example of the schools with power flexing their muscles to keep the rest of the conference in check. He hadn't agreed to sign over anything, let alone "handcuffs" that would tie all but OU and UT to the conference (because those two teams could afford to absorb any financial blow).

The fact is, had the Big 12 taken the same approach as the SEC and done what was best for all schools, most of this would have been avoided. Instead, the teams in control did what was best for themselves, which created an unstable landscape both for the Big 12 and other conferences. Had UT worked with the conference to create an evenly distributed third-tier revenue stream instead of eating up their own network, for example, everyone else gains. UT was certainly free to do what they did, but you can't take that approach and then get upset when other people look out for themselves, as well.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Dallas has the best facilities, location and worst fan environment. Kansas City does the best job hosting, has the best fan environment and worst location. Only three schools are within 227 miles of KC (Lawrence 40, Manhattan 122 and Ames 227). Dallas has five schools within 265 miles (TCU 35, Baylor 94, Norman 189, Austin 195 and Stillwater 265). Geographically OKC is better than KC but does not compare to Dallas. The fan environment in OKC is second only to KC. OKC has proven they are good host.

These locations are the only cities with a proven B12 track record and should stand as the preferred locations. To be equitable to nine of the ten schools in the conference. I would recommend over a ten year period holding the event in Dallas five times, Kansas City three times and OKC twice.

 

[DenverSooner]

Still bitter?

Missouri didn't "try to financially harm you." That would, however, be a nice reason to keep the tournament out of Texas.

Yes they did and people like you have said things like the Big XII will fail.

Look you want to compete, compete. I just want our leadership to compete too. Because if we do, Missouri will lose and lose hard. You are a perfect example of a person from Missouri. You are so insecure and pathetic that you actually monitor every word on this board. You didn't get it from the title. YOu read the posts. It is sad and I don't even think you realize how pathetic you look.

Lets not ignore history. For years Missouri was talking about leaving the conference and Missouri being superior to the other schools. Missouri spurred Nebraska to leave. You did try to hurt the conference.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Dallas has the best facilities, location and worst fan environment. Kansas City does the best job hosting, has the best fan environment and worst location. Only three schools are within 227 miles of KC (Lawrence 40, Manhattan 122 and Ames 227). Dallas has five schools within 265 miles (TCU 35, Baylor 94, Norman 189, Austin 195 and Stillwater 265). Geographically OKC is better than KC but does not compare to Dallas. The fan environment in OKC is second only to KC. OKC has proven they are good host.

These locations are the only cities with a proven B12 track record and should stand as the preferred locations. To be equitable to nine of the ten schools in the conference. I would recommend over a ten year period holding the event in Dallas five times, Kansas City three times and OKC twice.

What do you mean by 'fan environment'?

 

[snydrosooner]

I don't doubt what you heard, but it's only one side of the deal. Mizzou's chancellor wanted to stay even after most Mizzou fans were set on leaving. The change for him (and ultimately for Mizzou) after Boren's "handcuffs" press conference. He held his own press conference (our chancellor was chairman of the Big 12 board of directors and should have been the spokesman for that meeting; instead, his scheduled press conference was undercut). What he announced was not what Deaton agreed to for Mizzou, and he took that as yet another example of the schools with power flexing their muscles to keep the rest of the conference in check. He hadn't agreed to sign over anything, let alone "handcuffs" that would tie all but OU and UT to the conference (because those two teams could afford to absorb any financial blow).

The fact is, had the Big 12 taken the same approach as the SEC and done what was best for all schools, most of this would have been avoided. Instead, the teams in control did what was best for themselves, which created an unstable landscape both for the Big 12 and other conferences. Had UT worked with the conference to create an evenly distributed third-tier revenue stream instead of eating up their own network, for example, everyone else gains. UT was certainly free to do what they did, but you can't take that approach and then get upset when other people look out for themselves, as well.

From my understanding the handcuff thing you talk about was agreed to and that is the reason ou stayed. Don't get me wrong. I don't like what Missouri did, I don't like how they handled it, but that does not mean I don't get it. Missouri did what was in there best interest . I don't blame them for that. I blame them only for giving ou a reason to stay( which ou was looking for) and then leaving. Ou does have blame for letting it get to the point schools wantedd to leave.

 

[SoonerInJersey]

Uh, surely you have seen O.k.c's setup. Nothing better out there with Bricktown right there.

And NO way should a state with NO teams in the Big-12 get this tourney and economic boost. That's just stupid!!

This is what shocks me. With the Big 12 being mainly state supported schools, how can they justify hosting in a state outside the Big 12? Sheer economic idiocy.

 

[Soonerman82]

Ugh, I hate this conference.

 

[Options]

Yep just signed the contract through 2016 in kc

 

[SoonerSpock]

What do you mean by 'fan environment'?

As it applies to Kansas City the Power and Light District. With regard to OKC the Bricktown and their location in proximity to the tournament site.

 

[WTSooner]

I always had a solid time in Dallas. I know I'm one of few that feel that way, but I never had an issue with it being down there.

 

[Sawyer]

Yes they did and people like you have said things like the Big XII will fail.

Look you want to compete, compete. I just want our leadership to compete too. Because if we do, Missouri will lose and lose hard. You are a perfect example of a person from Missouri. You are so insecure and pathetic that you actually monitor every word on this board. You didn't get it from the title. YOu read the posts. It is sad and I don't even think you realize how pathetic you look.

Lets not ignore history. For years Missouri was talking about leaving the conference and Missouri being superior to the other schools. Missouri spurred Nebraska to leave. You did try to hurt the conference.

Mizzou fans weren't the only ones predicting the end for the Big 12. Your own fans (see above) still aren't convinced it has long-term viability. Our academics had long preferred the Big 10. And many have also long desired Mizzou take the University of Chicago approach (founding member of the Big 10 who voluntarily dropped down to DIII). Few outside of academics had serious preferences for leaving. Those same delusional academics drove what at the time was a respectable Mizzou football program into the ground for two decades.

This board and the many others I visit offer a glimpse of what's happening around the country. I don't typically click on many threads, but I did also look through several about Tulsa's C-USA run (LA Tech's coach is on my list of potential next big things at the mid-major level). The preview function gives me an idea of what threads are about, so I don't have to actually click to know if a thread like this one whines about Mizzou in the first few lines.

Ironic, though, that you're calling out my supposed insecurity in the thread you creating to cry about the Big 12 tournament being held in Missouri.

 

[BoomSoon]

Great post above about the PAC 12 moving to Vegas. It was a joke at Staples and there are 4 California teams, including two from LA area. MGM Grand was packed this week for the games. Conferences should do what is right for the fan experience.

 

[jerry]

Great post above about the PAC 12 moving to Vegas. It was a joke at Staples and there are 4 California teams, including two from LA area. MGM Grand was packed this week for the games. Conferences should do what is right for the fan experience.

Everyone wants to go to Vegas that is why!!!

 

[Sooner04]

I've been attending Big 12 Tournaments since 2003, so I've seen the tourney in every venue. Therefore, I find myself uniquely qualified to comment on these matters.

The biggest detriment to OKC ever hosting the tournament again is the splitting of the women's and men's games. That was OKC's biggest selling point, the distance between the two venues. I thought OKC did a fine job hosting, but the difference in atmosphere and buzz between OKC and KCMO is noticeable.

KCMO is just fantastic. The Power and Light District continues to get better and better, and it was awesome watching the end of the ISU/KU game in the huge courtyard area with several thousand fans (after we'd sold our tickets to that game for a hefty profit). The Boulevard beer tasted much better as the Cyclones ran out the clock.

The Texas schools deserve to have a bone tossed their way by holding the tournament either in Dallas or San Antonio or Houston, but if felt like the games got really lost inside the big city. I had a fine time in Dallas in 2003, 2004 and 2006, but it never felt like the city embraced the tournament. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it returned some day to the Lone Star State.

I cannot express to you how fun the tourney is in KC, especially when you stay downtown. I'll let lawyers and accountants worry about tax codes and where the money goes, but if the Pac 10 and WCC play in Las Vegas then we shouldn't worry about full houses in KCMO. The flood of ISU fans in from Ames overnight Friday was an awesome sight to behold. Tickets were gone, and I mean GONE, from the secondary market 45 minutes prior to tip. I've never seen such a wave of fans.

This was my 11th Big 12 Tournament. I've hit every one since 2003, with the exception of 2011 (grandmother's cancer diagnosis), and I'd rate them as follows:

ARENA:
1. Dallas
2. KCMO
3. OKC

DOWNTOWN:
1. KCMO
2. OKC
3. Dallas

SUPPORT:
1. KCMO
2. OKC
3. Dallas


If they had it in KCMO every year from now until the conference implodes it wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit. I have a great time up there each and every year regardless of whether we do great or lay a giant egg. Just give me my Winstead's!

 

[kcsooner]

I can not believe people are complaining about the tournament being in KC. It is a great facility, great atmosphere in Sprint Center and at Power and Light, and the crowds are fantastic. When it was in OKC they did not fill the arena for all important sessions. Basketball fans are 10 times better in KC than OKC. They had 18,000+ for session 2, 4 and 5 and probably 14,000 for 3 which was because no OU or BU fans were at game. OU fans do not even go to the Lloyd Noble Center for a 23-9 team that finished 2nd. Pathetic turnout for the OU games. I lived in Oklahoma until 1998 and went to all OU home games and now live in KC.

 

[snydrosooner]

I can not believe people are complaining about the tournament being in KC. It is a great facility, great atmosphere in Sprint Center and at Power and Light, and the crowds are fantastic. When it was in OKC they did not fill the arena for all important sessions. Basketball fans are 10 times better in KC than OKC. They had 18,000+ for session 2, 4 and 5 and probably 14,000 for 3 which was because no OU or BU fans were at game. OU fans do not even go to the Lloyd Noble Center for a 23-9 team that finished 2nd. Pathetic turnout for the OU games. I lived in Oklahoma until 1998 and went to all OU home games and now live in KC.

I had family their for all sessions. It may have been a sell out but they said it was s not full, even for the championship game. That is not to say that okc could have done better, but let's not start saying it was a full house.

 

[kcsooner]

I was there for all sessions and sessions 2 and 4 were completely full and 3 and 5 were almost full with OU/BU and UT/WVU and the ISU/BU. When those games happened in OKC it was half full.

 

[Sooner04]

This is what I observed from inside the arena. Attendance estimates are from my un-educated eyes.

Session 1: 13,000 (best opening day attendance I've seen for a pre-quarterfinal game.)
Session 2: FULL
Session 3: 12,000 (probably a little low, as I was focused on OUr game.)
Session 4: FULL
Session 5: FULL

 

[Vinny78]

I can not believe people are complaining about the tournament being in KC. It is a great facility, great atmosphere in Sprint Center and at Power and Light, and the crowds are fantastic. When it was in OKC they did not fill the arena for all important sessions. Basketball fans are 10 times better in KC than OKC. They had 18,000+ for session 2, 4 and 5 and probably 14,000 for 3 which was because no OU or BU fans were at game. OU fans do not even go to the Lloyd Noble Center for a 23-9 team that finished 2nd. Pathetic turnout for the OU games. I lived in Oklahoma until 1998 and went to all OU home games and now live in KC.

KC - Obviously your opinion is Tilted because you live there, LOL. The issue is that it is IN MISSOURI, DUH. Can you tell me which Big-12 team is in Missouri? NONE. Why do we hold it somewhere and give the MILLION and even 10's of Millions of dollars to an outsider. Stupid. You want to hold the Baseball tourney in Fayetville, Ark? Or the Football Championship in Denver? NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Never ever ever.

And I watched some of all of the games and even when KU was playing there were MANY empty seats up top. So quit LYING about it, the proof was on the TV and none of the games were FULL. NONE.