I think the main issue would be turning LHN into a legit Big 12 Network, and the odds of that happening are around 0%.

Definitely. If this is all about the LHN, this is a wind-pissing contest at its finest.

Let's hope they have the stones to tell the Big 12 to either straighten out or we are gone.

Per Chip Brown:

A high ranking official at a Big 12 school told Orangebloods.com Sunday that "much progress was made" during a conference call with the Big 12 presidents and chancellors Sunday at 1:30. The primary topic was Missouri and the Tigers' future in or out of the Big 12.

The source said there was optimism that Missouri would stay in the Big 12 and that interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas would be issuing a press release discussing the progress.

But nothing will be finalized as it pertains to Missouri until MU Board of Curators meet on Tuesday. The curators are deciding if the Tigers should apply for membership to the South Eastern Conference, sources have said.

I don't understand why the schools that can't support a TV Network of their own don't just produce one of their own? Why does this have to be such a big deal? I bet that network would have a wider audience, it would definitely be able to broadcast more games. I fail to see why this is such a huge stumbling block, if it indeed that it is.

Because the LHN expanded as a recruiting tool.

The funny thing is aTm was offered a TV network combined with UT. aTm refused and then got pissed that UT hooked up with ESPN.

Stupid is as stupid does.

A Big 12 Network sans Texas would be practically worthless, just like a Big Ten Network without OSU and Michigan. You need Texas and their 25 million residents in the fold to make it worthwhile to the broadcaster.

I just don't see it. Does anyone really think the difference between Texas getting all the Texas recruits it wants and others taking what they think is theirs is the LHN showing highlights a local news station could?

Texas is going to get those recruits no matter if the LHN is there or not. It seems like a worthless thing to bitch about. Well, other than the gobs of money it pays Texas, but Texas is always going to have money.

If there was a Big XII etwork, I don't think the LHN would be a big deal. You are right UT will get the choice recruits out of Texas regardless of whether there is a LHN or not.

I disagree. You still have two teams in Texas with the possibility of adding a third. You have a huge national power in OU in football, you have a huge national power in KU in basketball. You could easily have complimentary "look ins" with the LHN and The Cougar Network if they come in to ensure some Texas content on the Big XII Network and some Big XII content on the LHN.

This is what I mean when I say the other schools need to focus on what they can do instead of this continuous whining about what Texas does. If the conference expands it could be a profitable venture that actually has a further reach than the LHN.

Here's hoping Chip Brown is wrong and the Mizzou curators have the courage to make a change. If the Tigers stay in the Big XII, we will be going through this drama again very, very soon. I am sure that the Texas and OU lawyers already have a plan to break out of any agreement locking up TV rights to the conference that they have been talking about.

So you really don't think airing high school football games/highlights would be beneficial for the Longhorns?

What is there for him to be wrong about? He didn't say anything definitive.

We can argue all day about it, but the facts are that LHN is viewed as a major problem by some schools and so far Texas is unwilling to make a change for the good of the conference. If it really is no big deal, as UT will always get the recruits they want and will make more money than God, then why can't they make a concession for the good of the conference?

To address the LHN problem, it seems clear a Big 12 Network needs to be a solution. A Big 12 Network without Texas is worthless, so getting them into the fold is mandatory. A potential solution I have thought about would be folding LHN into a legit Big 12 Network, but with UT getting a floor on revenue that is no less than the current LHN arrangement ($15MM per year) and the upside as every other team; so once total network revenue in a 10-team league exceeded $150MM per year, each school would get an equal payout.

UT could do this and still save face (which is clearly important for them), as there is no chance they will lose money. The Big 12 could save face by arguing this special arrangement makes sense as UT provided initial funding to get LHN off the ground.

If it were out of state games, yes. In state is irrelevant since UT gets the top in state recruits regardless. They have for decades, well before the LHN was ever even dreamed of.