Texas Choke ‘Em Rant: Smells Like Team Spirit

Texas shed some light on NCAA athletics the past few weeks, and the picture wasn’t bright. Actually, Texas shed some light on Texas athletics over the past few weeks and THEIR philosophy became clear.

Texas threw around their weight and will benefit by playing hardball. They used the Pac-10 for MAJOR leverage and played their “actual” cards close to their chest. They wanted more money, more specifically a new T.V. deal, and while they don’t have one in stone yet, they will soon. Perhaps even sooner than we think. They might even get their own station, only further lubing the giant engine that could.

The smaller schools who were in serious trouble had the Pac-16 formed, can rest uncomfortably easy. Yes, they stay in the Big 12, (which now has 10 teams), but it comes at a price. Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Missouri agreed to give up their conference buyout payments from both Colorado and Nebraska, and hand them over to Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Texas. They also must endure the embarrassment of being second fiddle, which became painfully obvious here.

This was all about money from the get-go, although commissioner Dan Beebe is putting on his big smile and saying that’s not the case.

“A strong, strong consideration … by the institutions to remain is the association of these schools, the fact that college athletics is very much a regional, regionally supported endeavor, and that it would be a great travesty for this part of this country if it’s major institutions located with conferences that aren’t in this region.”

Regional? This issue was a classic geography lesson, folks. That’s what Beebe says and he’s sticking to it. After all, the man has a job at the end of the day. And if that doesn’t last, (which is very possible), he could be looking for a new job. Perhaps like maintaining the stalls below…

The T.V. deal will come, but all is not right in the Big 12. Kansas and company will remember how they were treated, or should I say mistreated, and will think about these few helpless weeks a lot over the next season. This uneasiness isn’t something that teams, ADs, and other suits will forget, hence Bebee’s job insecurity only weeks after they saved the day.

Texas had control over the entire expansion situations because they wanted more dollars. Their popularity has given them the ability to do just that. The NCAA has basically sat back and allowed teams to control the landscape of the sport so they can net a few more millions. While we won’t debate the control schools could/should have, it is something to note.

In the end, Texas controlled the wheel and they got more money. The smaller schools gave in, and the big-time program prevailed. It’s pretty disgusting when you look back at this entire chain of events. While it’s uncharacteristic to look at a university as a large corporation, I feel that was exactly how this all went down. And after all they are one of the nation’s biggest companies. The only difference, however, is I doubt we will see Bill Self holding a picket sign outside Jayhawk U.

Still, I feel dirty. And it’ll be hard to disassociate Texas from greed going forward. At least they were able to shakedown Colorado and send them packing. I suppose that is worth something. But… (or should I say “butt”)

Do you smell something?