Fox Sports Southwest: The de facto Big 12 Network

First it was OU formally announcing that they have teamed up with Fox Sports to produce over 1,000 hours of programming a year.

Learfield Sports, which owns the media rights to both OU and Tech formally agreed to a similar deal for the Red Raiders.

TCU having been rescued from the Big East now enjoys access the Big 12 media money vault.

Oklahoma State, also a Learfield Sports client, appears to be next in line.

The pacts follow the same formula: One football game to be televised live annually on a FOX Sports Networks, (Tech's game with Northwestern State kicked off their agreement), and its the same outlets -- FOX Sports Southwest, FOX Sports Southwest Plus or FOX College Sports -- that will carry basketball games and olympic sports from these Big 12 programs.

Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt speaks for all of them in praising the exposure.

"With a focus to wards enhancing and expanding the Texas Tech brand, we are excited about this partnership with FOX Sports," said Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. "The expanded exposure and distribution will allow Red Raider fans unprecedented access to Texas Tech sporting events and programming. We will continue to be proactive in exploring new media opportunities as this particular segment of our industry continues to evolve."

No word on the financial terms, but OU is rumored to expect up to $5 million a year for its 10-year pact.

Learfield also has the rights to Iowa State, but I seriously doubt Fox Sports Southwest is interested. Baylor is connected with IMG Sports, which is Texas' partner. No word on if Fox wants to bring Baylor into the fold.