Pac-10 possibly expanding to 16 teams

[.GR]

The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent, four sources within the Big 12 said Monday.

One source said commissioner Dan Beebe's last-minute plan to save the conference has "zero" chance to succeed. Another source said it is "very unlikely" to succeed.

Texas' interests in being aligned with the research opportunities and academic missions of Pac-10 schools is driving the decision, along with money.

Beebe's last-ditch plan included an emotional plea about preserving rivalries and maintaining the best welfare of the student-athlete, one source said.

Texas A&M is now most likely to join the SEC, a source within the Big 12 said. This move, in the wake of Colorado and Nebraska's departure, would further diminish the chance of Beebe's plan succeeding, one source said.

Texas' decision is expected to come no later than Tuesday. One source familiar with Texas' plans suggested a hearing on Wednesday at the Texas House of Representatives is "a nonfactor."

A report on Orangebloods.com said that Texas had been convinced to stay in the Big 12, thanks to a plan put together by Beebe. The plan includes assurances that a TV deal could net the 10 remaining Big 12 schools between $14 million and $17 million, Orangebloods.com reported, and schools such as Texas could still have their own TV network.

The Orangebloods.com report said a decision to remain in the Big 12 could be announced by Texas as early as Monday.

 

[The Young One]

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott arrived in Austin Sunday to meet with University of Texas officials about the Longhorns joining an expanded Pac-10 and is scheduled to meet with University of Kansas officials Monday night, the Orange County Register has learned.

Scott landed in Austin as the Texas board of regents prepared to meet Tuesday morning to discuss the Longhorns’ conference options.

The Austin stop comes after a busy weekend for Scott, the point man in a Pac-10 expansion bid that could dramatically alter the major college sports landscape by the end of the week.

Scott met with University of Oklahoma president David Boren and Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione in Oklahoma on Saturday and then flew to to College Station, Texas to meet with Texas A&M officials on Sunday morning before flying to Lubbock for a meeting with Texas Tech officials later that afternoon. Texas Tech’s regents are also scheduled to discuss the school joining the Pac-10 on Tuesday afternoon. Oklahoma regents will hold a similar discussion Wednesday, school officials said.

Monday could be just as busy with Scott and deputy commissioner Kevin Weiberg, a former Big 12 commissioner, scheduled fly to Kansas City Monday night to meet with University of Kansas officials scrambling to find a home for the Jayhawks with the break up of the Big 12 imminent.

 

[elcheato]

Texas declines Pac-10 invitation.. Big 12 is alive after all.

 

[.GR]

Wtf. I thought they were leaning towards accepting this morning?

 

[The Young One]

<Censored>KKKKK YEAH.....<Censored> COLORADO....

 

[kdogg]

This means no more conference title games in football since it isn't 12 teams right?

 

[Mooche]

I am so happy that Texas made this decision. Go Big 12!

 

[Dorado]

<3!!!!

I knew they wouldnt go to the Pac-10!!!!

 

[A.E]

Wow...how about the power in the Texas Longhorns? To think that 1 school could single-handedly tear down an entire conference...amazing.

In other news, Utah (reportedly) has the Pac-10 invite & they will accept. Good to see the Utes opting for the better competition in the better conference, rather than roll over an easier conference that no longer features Boise State.

 

[Mooche]

Wow...how about the power in the Texas Longhorns? To think that 1 school could single-handedly tear down an entire conference...amazing.

In other news, Utah (reportedly) has the Pac-10 invite & they will accept. Good to see the Utes opting for the better competition in the better conference, rather than roll over an easier conference that no longer features Boise State.

I was thinking about the power and pull the Longhorns have as well. Really, they single handily made the decision for a lot of teams on the Pac-10 by what they did. Truly is amazing what the program is recognized as. I love it.