Schulz "circled the calendar" for October 1st...
- Thread starter ttowncoug
- Start date
Well if we are waiting for that to make a move, we are idiots. I have no doubt that the Big-12 has decided whether or not to take us.
What could be going on, among various other possibilities, is that the Big 12 has some interest, perhaps at the behest of ESPN, but is trying to avoid giving WSU and Oregon State a full share. Getting some clarity into the position of the conference regarding remaining assets and liabilities, and confirming governance of the conference, could help WSU and Oregon State have more (or, should it go poorly, even less) leverage. Also, I am sure there are some at WSU and/or Oregon State who strongly prefer to rebuild the conference. More info and clarity helps there, too.
If it was up to me, making some reasonable assumptions about how all this will shake out, I'd jump on any kind of Big 12 offer with a full share immediately and just be reasonable regarding the rest of it. I doubt there really are as many net assets remaining as some seem to believe, and I think it will be an absolute shitshow even trying to figure out what they are, let alone securing them and dealing with all the attendant legal controversies. But I can understand wanting to get more info. Also, we can't forget what the whole theory of WSU and Oregon State rests on ... these schools have given notice of their intent to leave (so goes the argument), causing them to breach the bylaws and no longer have a say going forward. Consider the implications for WSU and Oregon State doing anything in that regard pending resolution of these legal proceedings.
If Clemson bolts from the ACC, FSU would follow, I would like to think WSU and OSU would get invited with SDSU to make an ACC western division.
I have to ask this of you: (as posted I posted in another thread)
Serious question...how would you feel if OrSt received AND accepted an offer to a conference (let's say Big12)...leaving us behind, considering how would you feel if WE accepted the same offer that excluded them? Are we (in your mind) a packaged deal? Are we REALLY brothers? I say this while wearing an OrSt hat today with a COUG shirt.
To me, we are together. Not seeking a deal without them. But, financially, aren't and should we really only about ourselves? That's all I have to say about that
Given that the issue of “notice” is unsettled and is the crux of the pending litigation, we cannot and will not do anything that could be thought of as making moves to join a conference. Given that the fall into the MWC talks have faded to some extent, and it’s quiet on all fronts, I would bet the Big12 is more involved than most think. But nothing can be said until that crucial matter of assets it’s settled.
I'll say this ... I would like to see us act as brothers and to secure a package deal, and would like Oregon State to behave the same way. That said, I've seen enough in my professional life to know that it's naïve to be 100% confident in that holding, and WSU should act accordingly.
Similarly, if being honest with myself, if a situation arose in which WSU could secure a Big 12 deal and leave Oregon State behind in some kind of situation like a prisoner's dilemma, where the first to secure the deal got it and the other school got stuck with the Mountain West -- or something not quite like that, but where one school could push hard for it behind the scenes knowing only one school would get it -- in either event, I'd want WSU to be the screwer, not the screwee.
Yes, fans of the hosed school always would hate the other school and its fans after that, and the vitriol on social media and in the media would be rough for a little bit, but imagine you wake up one morning and find out Oregon State went to the Big 12 and WSU was left behind. Realistically, subject to whatever legal remedies could be pursued (unlikely), what are you going to do about it? If that happened, we'd post some memes on social media using a picture of Benedict Arnold with a Beavs jersey on, bitch on Twitter a little, and so on. But who cares? That shit would last for a month or so, and after that, all that really would matter are the massive financial and other consequences. With that in mind, sign me up for the institution-saving money and exposure of riding to the Big 12 and screwing Benny over every time.
Thankfully, I doubt this happens. I guess I could see the Big 12 grabbing SDSU and only wanting one of the Northwest schools -- and, actually, as I write that, it makes some sense -- but I just don't think it's likely. I also think the schools really are cooperating and have no intention of screwing the other. I just would like WSU to keep its eyes open. But I'm a biglaw attorney who has seen all kinds of crazy shit the past two decades.
Remember, SDSU has significantly high exit fees with the Mountain West, and as I recall, it's several years they are currently in contract.
So WTF are we waiting for? I fail to believe that we are out their working behind the scenes. Other than Mik's inane ramblings, I don't think I've seen anything from other posters. I've made my opinion clear, what realistic scenario(s) would other posters go for?
We have to settle the pac 12 issues first, then make cogent decisions on what to do
Why? We will get money out of the deal, only question is how much. And how does that uncertainty change our options? So how about your (collective) dual thoughts? Modest settlement vs big settlement
If we shut up and the Big12 shuts up and we don’t get caught up in giving any sort of “notice”. Us and the big12 can link up after Nov 14, potentially with 10’s of millions extra or more + a tv network. The silence should tell you more than settling for a move and giving in to divvying the assets.
Exactly. I would like WSU and OSU to stick together, and ultimately be rivals in a new conference.
But business is business. If either gets an invite from the Big XII or ACC or whatever, you gotta take it.
the big 12 isn't going to "shut up". There are schools that are now part of the Big 12 that think the money belongs to them. If we truly are going to get all the money we will need to be in the PacX when the contract runs out in 2024.
Gotta figure Oregon State is the one left out in that scenario.
WSU has the advantage with more consistent football/women's sports success, Seattle/Spokane markets >>> Portland/Salem, much bigger endowment, better fan support, superior academics, etc
I don't think it's likely enough to worry about, but there are two big things this doesn't account for ... first, it's about the same distance to Portland, on an actual interstate highway for most of it, as WSU is to Spokane; second, it's on the "right" side of the mountain range, close to most of its alumni in the state and the major population center (Portland). It's much better-situated in that regard than WSU. But again, not worth worrying about.
I will certainly defer to your knowledge and expertise in these type of situations, but for my two cents it would be wonderful to see WSU and OSU do right by one another and not follow in the footsteps of UO, UW, etc.
Doing the right thing should still count for something in this world, hopefully
