Weekend Honey Dos

Doesn’t somebody have a picture of Boren’s Oregon letter?

did the crayon copy ok?

What is TLN? I know of the LHN (Longhorn Network) but maybe I missed something recently.

Why do we protest so much about the aggies going to the SEC? We keep calling for the legislature to help or the rest of the 7 dwarfs. Now exit penalties. Since the conventional wisdom indicates A&M will fail, why do we care? Let’s stop whining about it and usher them out with a 21 gun salute and our best wishes. We will be fine with OU and the little fellas.

I hope I don’t sound like I am whining about it.

I am saying (a) it doesn’t sound like they can haul ass with much ease anyway, so the discussion may me academic anyway and (b) if they all go and this conference blows apart, while we don’t want that to happen right now, if it does, I suspect we’re going to be a-ok.

Sailor Ripley,

I’d say you got your panties in a twist a bit much. Boren didn’t accuse you of cheating or of being unethical. What did Boren actually say? “It’s unfair recruiting…” Well, no shit. Anyone who doesn’t have their nose buried in DeLoss Dodds’ ass knows that it’s unfair. No one else is buying the whole “we’re going to let ESPN pick the programming” (wink wink) bit, even if you all think they should. In almost every article I read from UT bloggers, they all almost universally said some variant of “If the rest of the conference doesn’t like what we’re doing, they’ll change the rules.” What’s truly ironic is the backlash and A&M-esque levels of pussy rubbing I’m seeing from a normally reasonable UT fanbase because Boren is smart enough and quite probably connected enough to change the rules BEFORE LHN could land any sort of impact by showing high school games.

That said, I’m still trying to figure out ESPN’s endgame by using the LHN as a loss leader. I just don’t see it. You don’t pay $300 million for a loss leader unless you stand to make BILLIONS somewhere.

Re: Whining biznitches from Aggieland
- I’ve been going over this over the last week and after connecting the dots, the image looks like a giant middle finger directed at Texas and the Big 12. TAMU AD Bumbling Byrne has made it his mission to find a way to close the gap between Texas and A&M. And when i say gap, I don’t mean a competitive gap. I mean the millions of singles he wishes he could take to the strip club on Highway 6.

Fine, HS games may represent a gray area because of the lack of NCAA regulations, but let the NCAA tackle this issue. Aggies trying to act as the champion of the Big 12 is a complete joke considering Dodds and ESPN were already asking the NCAA about this issue. The simple act of airing a HS game on LHN is not the advantage alone, the network itself is already the advantage. I agree, why would OU want to spearhead efforts to prohibit HS games on institutional networks when their own network will be lacking in programming too?

What’s the issue with a potential Big 12 game on LHN, especially this year. Just 1 year ago, Billy Boy had some curious thoughts on 3rd tier network programming (http://www.aggieathletics.com/genrel/061610aaa.html). Don’t overlook that this is from his own personal website)

Byrnes’ own words: …and with regard to use of 3rd-tier network programming: There are quite a few baseball and softball games, tennis matches, swim meets, women’s basketball and even a few men’s basketball and football games that are not selected by ESPN and Fox Sports. And it’s those contests, and only those contests, which may be broadcast on a school’s own network. We call it a third-tier network.

If I’m not mistaken, Texas probably has at least 3 potential games that would be classified as “dark” or in other words, non-televised contests. Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State all have the potential to go dark depending on how each side progresses through the season. Why wouldn’t the Big 12 want to give their conference and teams as much exposure as possible, regardless of if the game is on LHN?

Seems someone’s tune changed as soon as he realized his initial gaffe on the numbers. Byrne didn’t think a single institution network could be financially viable (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/colleges/post/_/id/4668908/ams-byrne-not-big-on-longhorn-network). He’s continued to preach the wonders of the inter-web and free webcasting for all non-revenue Aggie sports. I guess getting $300 million dumped on your head is bound to make you think differently.

From the looks of it, Fumbling Bill and the Dixie Chicken Brain Trust are using ESPN’s mistake (http://bit.ly/ooGDml) in a lot of ways to push 2 possible agendas.

1. Billy has made it clear in numerous articles that he believes the only viable option is a conference-focused network. Byrnes will continue to try and poke holes in the LHN programming, even when it appears there are no issues in an attempt to limit LHN’s programming. As a consequence, he may believe ESPN will be forced into turning LHN into Big 12 TV and the money gets split (unevenly I assume) across the members of the Big 12. This seems to be the most likely direction, especially considering A&M is in no way ready to handle the loose morals, ethics, and speed of SEC play.

2. Billy’s continued whining is aimed at forcing the Longhorns to consider leaving the Big 12. Where UT would go is a mystery? Independence? Pac-16 or 18 or 20? Big 14 or 16 or 18? Or new super conference as discussed elsewhere? Bottom line, Byrne wants to make UT the scapegoat for the dissolution of the Big 12. If Texas leaves and the conference falls, A&M is free to leave for the shady plains of the SEC. They would not incur the costs of exit fees and would look clean in the matter. I believe the SEC was Byrne’s desired destination. What else could explain his sudden outburst a year ago (http://t.co/y1du08W) after being chastised by an Aggie alum for not choosing the SEC over the Big 12.

While I’m sure much of this may seem like conspiracy theories, just think about it for a couple hours and I believe you will definitely see the light. Whatever the case, the hypocrisy coming out of Norman and College Station is ridiculous. They saw the money that the Big 12 was throwing at them as a huge win. Unfortunately, both underestimated just how big and valuable the Horn brand really is.

Thanks for the link to Peter’s article. I honestly wouldn’t have seen it otherwise.

I don’t wear panties, Nate. I go Comanche (in honor of Oklahoma). And you should know me well enough by now to know I truly don’t give a shit. I’m a bit like the Joker in this regard. Love to see it all burn down just to shake it up. I hate our backward ass conference. I am jealous of Utah. Plus, we need stuff to argue about until actual football starts in a few weeks.

Loss leader was Allen’s phrase. I think the notion is to preserve “geopolitcial” stability in college football, where ESPN does pocket a metric shitton of $. If / when the Superconference world happens, does it open up the world to all bidders again? Does it cause uncertainty in Bristol?

Also, ESPN can see a future where it starts a bunch of RSNs for college teams and this is a pretty great one to try it with first.

As for Boren, as a Texas fan I simply can not let anybody from OU discuss what’s right or wrong in recruiting without laughing my ass off. And that Oregon shit a few years ago was off the charts goofballish.

I, For one, am tired of the aggies and their whining. Supposedly, a&m is a great prize to be had by any conference and Texas must understand they are worthy of being treated as our equal. Well, they aren’t. Since Sherman showed up to coach over in Farmville, the aggies are 19-19. That’s it. In this, their rebirth of greatness, they are a .500 ball club that doesn’t dare mention the term “SEC” without first reaching for a tube of KY. The Horns, on the other hand, are humiliated by our recent fortunes in spite of the fact that during the same timeframe, we have gone 30-9. Think of how 19-19 represents greatness to the ags and 30-9 feels like crap to us. Why is this? Because we are in a different league than the farmers. 30-9 and unhappy about it gets people wanting to pay to see LHN. 19-19 doesn’t qualify you for special perks or special deals. We benefit from LHN because we earned it. Get your record out of the depths of mediocrity and then come demanding equal treatment.

I don’t get all the fuss. Especially given Texas’ proclivity to early recruiting, where/what is the perceived advantage of showing a HS football game on LHN?

“Son, there’s only 2 open spots left in our class. To show you how important you are, we’re having the LHN carry your game this Friday night.”

Really? That’s blackjack? Maybe for KSU. For Texas? I don’t see it.

Now, A&M and OU have shifted the sales pitch. Congratulations. Now it’s, “Son, there’s only 2 open spots left in our class. You either want to be part of this or you don’t. We’re cutting our own trail. UT has it’s own fvcking television channel for crying out loud. Are you in or out?”

Yeah, I’ll roll the dice with the 2nd one. It’s still a better pitch than the rest of the conference has.

The only irk I have in all this is that they built a logo with black in it. Ridiculous.

Nate – I love how the word “unfair” is being tossed around as if that word had any meaning. Unfairness is relative. Some could say OU’s prestige advantage on Okie State is unfair. Does that mean we should wipe away all of OU’s championships, for the sake of fairness? In college football, unfairness is the rule and not the exception. And that’s part of what makes college football great. You can’t have compelling rivalries and dynastic traditions in a system with NFL-like parity between 120 schools.

The question shouldn’t be whether putting high school games on LHN is an “unfair” recruiting advantage. Of course it is. The real question should be whether the end product of college football writ large is significantly worse as a result. And the answer is: of course not. UT already pretty much selects the Texas kids they want, save an occasional All Day or Jamarcus McFarland. The recruiting edge would be real but it would be marginal. At best there would be one or two kids a year for whom it makes any kind of difference at all in their decision.

Of course those one or two kids would likely be OU or A&M recruits otherwise. And that’s why y’all take offense, and I understand that. But take a moment to consider that maybe in the grand scheme of things, that’s the just result. UT has more alumni and more fans and the most profitable football program in the nation. By the logic of the NCAA that should translate to a real advantage on the field.

Bottom line: until someone can explain to me why LHN with high school games is more damaging to the sport than Notre Dame having their all their games broadcast nationally every week for twenty years, which everyone seems to be fine with, then there is no moral high ground in this argument. Only realpolitik – raw politics and leverage.

Let OU and Ag go the SEC route. At that point we have to beat out either probationed or soon to be probationed national powers to play the winner of the anarchy conference for the crystal. Obviously we’d never play A&M again..Rip, one of your finer posts even if it was rot with grammatical eras. The team likes seeing fire in the captain’s belly.

you are correct to observe there is a split in A&M opinions. i chafes me to see so many opine about "A&M’ as if its one united view amongst fans, coaches and administrators. It is absolutely not.

TExas is doing what’s best for them. A&M (and OU, but A&M is getting all the ire) , likewise, are doing the same in response. You cannot blame any parties for their action.

although, most of this SEC rumors has come from one or two websites and the general media. Not a single A&M official has stated anything, as a matter of fact, they have stated they support making the B12 work.

realistically, A&M and OU cannot jump to the SEC at whim, but see this for what it is: Leverage.

Everyone is unhappy with the high school games aspect of LHN, because it will be a recruiting advantage, and it is powered and funded by someone other than Texas….semantics debate if you want to call ESPN a ‘booster’ or not.

The protests and SEC threats are simply the first step of leverage against high school games broadcast. if Texas keeps moving forward…then Next up, political pressure.

also, note that most of the New Age Ags violently hate the administration for not pursuing SEC last year, and/or resent Bill Byrne for being so near sighted if he had the opportunity to team with Texas on a network.

The administration is more worried about a competitive playing field, associations and best way for university success…..New Age Ags are more concerned with SEC road trips and visiting hotties.

hotdam – great comments and totally agreed. However, I don’t think you want to call ’em “New Age” Ags. Unless the local culture has suddenly switched from ROTC and the Dixie Chicken to astral travel and healing crystals. Which I dunno, maybe it has.

Rip, one of your finer posts even if it was rot with grammatical eras.

Sigh.

The only irk I have in all this is that they built a logo with black in it. Ridiculous.

Co-signed.

I love how the word "unfair" is being tossed around as if that word had any meaning. Unfairness is relative.

Agreed. Touched on that in a earlier post. Achieving a positive differential is sort of the point of competition, isn’t it?

The only reason HS games are coming under fire is due to rampant speculation and lack of clear cut NCAA regulations. It is just being assumed that a HS game on LHN will be geared fully on promoting future Longhorns. If I’m not mistaken, football teams include more than just 1 player on the field. There are at least 10 players on a basketball court. Will the screen be modified, like protecting the witness of a crime, in order to only promote Texas’ next big time player? No one complains if a HS game is aired on ESPNU or the Deuce. Why is is such a big deal that LHN carriers HS games? Is it just because ESPN has decided to brand its new network with a Horn? Remember, there is a line between ESPN and Texas with regard to the network. Unfortunately, people do not want to see this distinction.

I have a question. What will prevent HS kids (and specifically their handlers) from taking advantage of the LHN? A kid can simply show interest in Texas, get the offer, and make the verbal to potentially get one of his games on TV. A “fan” of a school from another conference (let’s say from the Smouth-Feast Smonference to protect all parties) sees this kid on TV and thinks he’d be a great fit at his school. Nest thing you know, kid decides to pull verbal at a press conference and drives off in his new Cadillac Escalade. In this scenario, did Texas really benefit from the LHN?

Innovation in college athletics will always create areas of question. Every team in the conference has the right to attempt to set up its own network. Every team has the right to try and push the limits of innovation in college athletics. Texas cannot be blamed for taking full advantage of the landscape in front of them. Instead, the rest of the conference should look to innovate for themselves, rather than attempt to stifle the leader of the pack.

I figured someone would take the bait, though my money was tucked firmly in Vasherized’s g-string. Wrought, yes I know. As for this network and recruting advantages, how would we know the difference? We offer. The kid commits. We offer. Televise a game. The kid commits. What’s the big deal?

The LHN is not funded by Texas. It is funded by ESPN.

We hope you Gooners and aggies leave real soon for your brotherhood of SEC hillbillies. A fitting arrangement of like minds, if I’ve ever seen one. Y’all let us know how it works out for you, ya hear now?

Re: Nate’s comment about ESPN’s endgame…I think the main gambit is to make sure they have a piece of a brand new market the Big Ten Network created. Work out the kinks now and have a track record to offer when Florida and USC (or the Pac-12 network, or the SEC Network, etc.) start testing the waters. Also, ESPN doesn’t have the regional networks FOX has; this is their chance to take away some of that market, too. It’s also part of their larger strategy of dominating sports cable broadcasting so that they have more leverage on cable companies when deals are made.

Also it should be noted – ESPN won’t be eating all 300 million bones, if any. They seem hopeful that the network will pay for itself. 30 million per year in surplus subscription and ad revenues isn’t all that much to expect for a sports cable property if they can produce at least some of it with University resources, get some programming of general interest, and get it on basic cable throughout Texas.

Magnus,

“…one of your finer posts even if it was rot with grammatical eras.”

Were you making a grammatical errror in the midst of a criticsm of grammar, or were you making a pun to convey that Sailor’s post was tantamount to decaying matter?

Sailor,

Nice piece. I think you got to the heart of the matter. I think all this controversy is born out of boredom and a lack of actual football to watch. The Ags are in denial that their objections have a basis in jealousy rather than an objective interpretation of the rules. That is all.

Damn. Sorry Magnus. Didn’t see that you already addressed that.

All the bitching translates into, “This is unfair because you can do it and WE CAN’T,” as in, “we aren’t big enough, smart enough, have the fan base, etc.” So to this I ay, “Do not blame us for your inadequacies. We can’t be held responsible for your condition.”

Frankly, I don’t care if we do HS games or not. I’d be happy reporting the news, showing the clips the next day when the players could watch themselves playing, being interviewed, etc. — just like the network stations do.

Another thing is that UT has a film and television school. Is the Big 12 going to tell us what kind of classes and labs we have? Monitor our curriculum? That is outside the province of the ATHLETIC conference. It certainly is outside the province of A&M or any other school.

Hey, A&M, Baylor is a Baptist school and the Baptist Church is probably the largest denomination in the state. That sounds like unfair competition. Maybe the Big 12 should force them to go non-denominational.

Forgot to mention: I hadn’t decided to subscribe to LHN until now. Now I’m going to do it because it pisses Aggie off so much.

So, our recruiting pitch was supposedly going to be “Commit to UT and we’ll show one of your HS games on the LHN which ATM and OU can’t do.”

Now it will change to “Commit to UT, we wanted to show one of your HS games on the LHN, but ATM and OU who are also recruiting you ruined that chance for you, be sure to thank them for screwing you and your teammates out of that chance when you visit.”

i love it when gooners try to proclaim that Boren is some kind of magical Einstein. Have you ever met him? Oily, stuttering and with the limpest handshake you will ever get. Like being handed a soft sardine.

If you let us show High School games, we will not complain no matter how many screwdriver maniacs you sign.

Well if Tim Brando and some others are to be believed, OU, OSU, MO, and A&M have been talking with the SEC for a while, this LHN high school stuff is just a convenient pretext.

Which make sense, I was always suspicious of the Sooners’ suddenly professed “Now and Forever, just like Ruth” loyalty to UT they blathered about last summer. A convict rarely changes its stripes.

“Unfair recruiting,” says the man who is considering joining the SEC.

NCAA SALT Talks

http://dennis-dodd.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/30853267?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001

I would agree Texas deserves competitive advantage for investment they made.

The ‘unfair’ advantage comes from the symbiosis of ESPN, an outside entity, who could invest money and advertising at Texas benefit. If Texas was running and paying for everything, i think its a lot more cut and dry.

But, its in ESPN’s best interest for Texas to succeed.

Its in ESPN’s best interest for Texas to get the top recruits.

You don’t think ESPN won’t do whats in the power to make that happen?

is millions of dollars in unsolicited advertising and promotion any different that some booster or car dealership providing players benefits, and the coaches claiming they had no control over it?

is the future effect on next years recruits any different in those 2 scenarios? (where both instances, recruit knows that committing to a university provides them with a side benefit of some sort. obviously one has monetary value, but both are benefits beyond the actual university and team….you know, the spirit of the rule.)

(picture Deloss with mouth agape, finger in cheek, saying “oh we have no idea what ESPN is going to put on programming. no idea at all….”).

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