In June, we gave the then-accurately named Big 12 ten months to live thanks to infighting, outside temptations from other Big Six conferences, and the clear and burning if unstated desire of Texas to go the Notre Dame route of scheduling and media independence. In January, Texas signed a 20-year, $300-million deal with the Worldwide Leader that basically created ESPN: The Ocho for ‘round-the-clock Longhorns athletics news and events.
Well, nobody makes Texas A&M bleed their own blood, and Aggies AD Bill Byrne is now positing that the creation of a dedicated UT cable network -- a network on which there’s been talk of airing local prep games -- could put the Longhorns on the wrong end of NCAA recruiting reculations:
Texas Fight! A&M AD Says UT-ESPN Deal Could Run Afoul Of NCAA
“I can’t speak for the NCAA, but I would imagine the governing body will look into the use of a collegiate television network airing games of prospective student-athletes,” Byrne said in a statement. “I understand networks such as FSN and ESPN airing high school sports, but whether or not employees under contract with a university that may have additional contact would seem to be an issue.”
Unspoken but out there: Like Texas’ advantage in in-state recruiting isn’t hefty enough already. So, about that ten-month lifespan. Think we overshot?
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