Don’t be angry with OU over SEC move, given financial gain
When news surfaced that OU and Texas were considering leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, anyone with a trace of allegiance to the state had to be pained. Especially when we realized the considering was long since finished.
What would such a move mean for OSU? What would such a move mean for the Big 12? What would such a move mean for Kansas State and Iowa State and Kansas, schools that have been competing with OU for literally 100 years?
A variety of opinions settle on this theory. The remaining Big 12 schools are
angry with the Longhorns and disappointed in the Sooners.
I never split such sentiments. Texas always got too much blame for conference acrimony, OU never enough. Both are big dogs that exerted their will on the Big 12. If you're going to be angry, be angry at both.
But don't be angry.
All the emotion of OU's exit went away when the numbers started percolating. The Sooners and Longhorns figure to make around $60 million per year with SEC payouts, a boost of $22 million over the last full-year Big 12 payout.
You make $20 million or so more per year, and there's no decision to be made.
Who among us wouldn't move to the other side of town, if offered a 50% raise?
College athletics are many things. Opportunity for athletes. Community beacons. But foremost, they are a business. If the money is in the same hemisphere, heck yeah, be a good partner. Look out for your neighbor. Hold on to old traditions. Old acquaintance should not be forgot.
But when the money difference is $20 million or $22 million per year? Screw Auld Lang Syne. It's every man for himself.
And the Big 12 knows that. After presidents for the eight remaining schools met last week, The Athletic reported that “the eight remaining schools pledged on their call last night to stay together, but they also are making contingency plans … the process is in play among remaining Big 12 members to assess their potential value to other conferences.”
And of course that's the plan. There could be no other plan. OSU and Baylor and Iowa State and Kansas and West Virginia and Texas Christian and Kansas State and Texas Tech have to look out for themselves.
And that's what OU did.
“It's not our job to support those schools,” said an OU source.
Not when the difference to OU is $20 million or more.
Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.