Univ. of Texas men's AD DeLoss Dodds said yesterday that his school "remains committed to equal revenue-sharing money from the Big 12's network and cable contracts -- but also that Texas will not negotiate or compromise in any way on its Tier 3 rights for the lucrative Longhorn Network, worth $300 million over the next 20 years," according to Bohls & Haurwitz of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Dodds, after "admitting Texas had entered serious discussions" with the Pac-12 and ACC, said, "We're stopping everything and putting our efforts back in the Big 12 and (trying to) get stability back. We're Big 12, period." UT "appeared very interested in the Pac-12, as recently as last weekend." Dodds said that the school "looked at becoming an independent, but dismissed that option because it would not be in the best interest of Texas' student-athletes." UT President William Powers Jr. said yesterday that "getting some stability" is "Job 1" for the conference. Powers added that "in that regard, nothing is off the table, including the restructuring of media contracts and revenue-sharing agreements and adding schools to the league." Bohls & Haurwitz note Powers' comments "seemed to contradict Dodds' remarks later in the day, when the athletic director said the Longhorn Network is off-limits." UT is "committed to equal revenue sharing for all its Tier 1 and Tier 2 television rights with other Big 12 members, but the Longhorn Network, on the other hand, will not be changed." Dodds said, "I don't think our network is in play. Our network is our network. Anybody can do one. ... If somebody thinks something is wrong with our network and thinks it's hurting the conference, we will absolutely address it." He noted that the Univ. of Oklahoma is "working on developing its own" network (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 9/22).
LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1: ESPN says the creation of the Longhorn Network had nothing to do with the upheaval occurring in college sports right now. Many critics have pointed to the existence of LHN as the reason, for example, that Texas A&M decided to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC. "The driving force on realignment lies with the conferences and universities," reads an ESPN statement. "The Big 12 determined in 2010 to grant each of its schools the ability to create their own networks. As a result, the Big 12 stayed together and University of Texas made the decision to launch its network. ESPN subsequently won a competitive bid to become its media partner. We have since seen Kansas State and Missouri create opportunities while Oklahoma is exploring its media options. The concept of LHN remains the same as it was 15 months ago" (John Ourand, THE DAILY). In Texas, Don Williams in a front-page piece notes LHN has been "a source of contention among some Big 12 schools who see it as an unfair advantage." However, Texas Tech President Guy Bailey said that he "doesn't blame UT." Bailey: "If I could have done the Longhorn Network at Texas Tech, I would have done it. I would love to have Red Raiders sports in everybody's home and have the profits as well. They were doing what was in the best interests of their institution, and that's what all of us have to do" (LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 9/22).
NOT WILLING TO DEAL WITH LHN ISSUES: Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott acknowledged that LHN "would have been an issue that would have to get dealt with" should the conference have elected to accept UT as well as fellow Big 12 school Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Scott said, "That would have launched networks in Oklahoma as well, and all the revenue would have had to be shared equally. It became clear last weekend that wasn’t going to be possible in a way that was satisfactory to our members, so we’re moving on.” Scott noted the biggest problem with LHN from the Pac-12's view was that it "already exists." Scott: "Texas has got a great situation. They got a big contract with ESPN. They got their own network. It became clear that that wasn’t going to be able to fold in to our structure in a way that was comfortable for our members. You know, we thought there might be the opportunity of working with ESPN, working with Texas for that to fold into our structure and for all revenue to be shared equally. But it became clear over the weekend that wasn’t going to be possible” (“College Football Live,” ESPN, 9/21). In Ft. Worth, Randy Galloway writes, "Daddy DeLoss is a p-r-o-f-e-s-s-i-o-n-a-l. He will hurt you." Sources indicated that Scott "was 'appalled' at the arrogance of DeLoss." Galloway: "Larry, Larry, Larry. Who the heck do you think you were dealing with?" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/22).
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS? In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington writes LHN "simply mushroomed into a force far beyond anything anyone imagined. Dodds included." Sherrington: "He is not willing to compromise the LHN in any way. Texas conceived and nurtured it, both fair points. But unless you want to go it alone as an independent -- something Texas isn't willing to do at this time -- you've got to work and play well with others. ... No matter what your take on it, you can't be oblivious to the fact that it's viewed by so many as an unfair advantage. Which it is, in its current state" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/22). ESPN.com's Pat Forde wrote it would "behoove Texas to make some concessions -- not just because Oklahoma wants it, but to show its Big 12 brethren that it gives a damn about them." Forde: "The Longhorns' steady diet of me-first has left them bloated and indifferent to the feelings of their peers. You can't blame athletic director DeLoss Dodds for capitalizing on his program's abundant successes and rampant popularity, but there has to be some concern for everyone else" (ESPN.com, 9/21). Meanwhile, in K.C., Blair Kerkhoff wrote, "Why not a network that shows highlights from the entire Big 12 footprint? Want to build a regional brand? Showcase the high schools -- football, other sports, academic achievement -- in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa as well as Texas" (KANSASCITY.com, 9/21).
