[KcMizzou]

It's all about Texas.

Time For Texas To Own It
September 22, 2011 11:35 pm, UTC

By: C.T. Steckel

Longhorn Network Causing A Blackout Across College Athletics

A wise man once said the key to life is to simply “know who you are.” Be bold, live with integrity, and accept the consequences. Life also weeds out the pretenders; those trying to fake it and make it always get exposed. Since the beginning of college athletics, the University of Texas has been a virtual superpower, a force so strong when it comes to winning championships and creating an environment of financial success, that others simply can’t compete.

Even now, after trying to hold it’s own for more then a century, it’s biggest rival realizes it’s time to chuck and run. So while Texas A&M is off to what they believe will be greener pastures in the SEC, the truth of the matter is easy to cut… the real green is flowing in to Austin on a pipeline directly from Bristol, Connecticut, known as the Longhorn Network.

Let’s be clear about one thing – this is America and capitalism reigns. So for those of you (and me) who would love to find a thousand reasons to blame Texas for the chaos that has ensued resulting in major conference realignment, leave your jealousy at the door. When ESPN squashed a deal between Fox Sports and Texas to the tune of $300 million dollars over 20-years to form the Longhorn Network, it signaled the beginning of the end, at least for the Aggies and the original Big 12.

The major issue here isn’t that tradition and history are being thrown out the window, even though purist like myself are still crying ourselves to sleep in the fetal position. The problem is that Texas refuses to admit its role in the entire process. They’re the Big Bad Wolf, and yet in the mirror they see Miss Red Riding Hood, and it’s time to own up to blowing down the house.

For $300 million you can understand why Texas is fighting to keep the LHN.

“I don’t think our network is in play,” Texas’ athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Wednesday. “Our network is our network. Anybody can do one.” It gets better… “If somebody thinks something is wrong with our network, and thinks it’s hurting the conference, we would absolutely address it.”

I respect Dodds as much as anybody for the athletic program he’s helped to build in burnt orange, but those words aren’t fooling anybody. Even this General Studies major.

Consider the fact that the Pac-12, with it’s new billion dollar TV deal and recent expansion, ultimately voted not to include Texas and Oklahoma (and their step-sisters Texas Tech and Oklahoma State) because its after a “culture of equality.” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said the league’s equanimity would have been jeopardized with the inclusion of the four schools. Asked specifically if it had anything to do with the Longhorn Network, Scott said, “It became clear that wasn’t going to be able to fold into our structure in a way that’s comfortable with our members.”

For those of you who failed English in college, that means Texas had 300 million reasons not to give an inch at the bargaining table, and it’s laughing all the way to the bank.

The reality in 2011 on planet Earth is that only a few institutions of higher learning in the country can have their own TV Network. Notre Dame football was the first in a sense, and remains the only college football national showcase on NBC. Out in Utah, BYU has the money and capability to draw interest because of the Mormon faith, and it’s legion of constituents nationwide. However, most in America don’t know the Cougar’s network even exists. And what do Notre Dame and BYU have in common? Oh yeah, they’re independents in FBS college football, and Texas isn’t.

Potentially schools like USC, Ohio State or Florida could create their own television conglomerate, but not many others could. It’s all based upon success on the field, large markets within the existing fan base, and the ability to raise capital through advertising. So Dodds isn’t being genuine when he says, “anybody can have one.” Just drive across the Red River and ask Bob Stoops and Joe Castiglione, because right now, they don’t.

Texas isn’t going to give up the Longhorn Network, and one day they’ll make more than $300 million on the venture, despite the fact only 250,000 customers in Texas and nobody in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or Austin could even tune into the launch. When DirecTV, Time Warner, AT&T U-Verse, Dish Network and Comcast don’t carry your signal… no one is watching.

So besides the distribution issues, the other major problem is that we all want what we can’t have, and when we don’t get it, jealousy and envy set in. Just ask A&M, OU, Missouri and Iowa State… although I can’t imagine a Cyclone Network anytime soon.

You’re taking your school to new heights, but please don’t deny you aren’t human DeLoss Dodds. You’ve always been an honest man. Know who you are.

http://www.holyturf.com/2011/09/time...xas-to-own-it/