Texas was the highest grossing program before these TV deals were released and now they are clear #1 in TV. They are making more than ND's deal with NBC and that is not including the 25 million per year that Texas is earning in the unequal revenue sharing Big XII. They are making 40 million a year in TV or twice OHIO's athleic budget. Because of this deal, the Big XII which was rumored to split up isn't going anywhere. Texas, TAMU, and Oklahoma are pigging the money, the other schools aren't doing as well but no better options exist but the status quo. The name of the game in college sports is changing. It was traditionally about making revenue from a big football following. Then since the 80's TV markets have driven who moves where. The new trend is the Boone Pickens major donor way of doing things where as long as a school has deep pcckets nothing else matters. OHIO just picked up a big donation for athletics but if you look also at the school projecting an 11% increase in enrollment over the next few years the financial future of the athletic department looks promising. OHIO could go the way of SMU or UCF with million dollar football and basketball coaches fairly easily and place its program head and shoulders over the D1 midmajors with all the money coming in. 

I can see this being the end-game for a lot of schools, not just Texas. It'll just take some time.

The fact this was in the works has been cited as a driving force for some of the defections of the Big12

Doesn't this make it more likely, Wes, that Texas will go independent?  That way they keep all of the TV money for themselves and can swing other marketing deals as well.  Also, without UT, the B12 doesn't have as much total revenue to spread around to the remaining members.  Just a thought, but it seems with the BYU move that other schools may take a serious look at going the independent route. 

Doubtful.  BYU is going to find that being an independent doesn't get you great bowl games.  Their one tie-in is the Kraft Fight Hunger (fka Emerald [nut]) Bowl.  Big payout there.  Army and Navy don't have great bowl tie-ins, either.  Notre Dame has been relying on its ancient history for its NBC deal and on its ties with the Big East for some decent bowl games.  Utah and TCU went to BCS auto qualifying conferences for one reason: Better Bowls.  BYU will likely find itself mired in backwater bowls (even if it is in SF).

You are correct that CU and NU cited the Texas Network as a large reason for leaving, but in reality it made for a great easy excuse. CU has always looked upon the rest of the Big XII as being rednecks and clodhoppers while they thought of themselves as sophisticated and upper crust. For many years they have wanted an excuse to court the PAC 10 where they think they fit better with the Stanfords of the world. What is funny is that CU will most likely be considered rednecks and clodhoppers by the rest of their league with the exception of Wash. State and Utah.

Nebraska simply had a chance to make a pile of money and get a fresh start as Oklahoma and Texas dominate the rest of the league. NU and TU never did get along behind the scenes and they were chomping at the bit to leave.
They both used Missouri as the scapegoat until that wasn't working, then the TU Network gave them great sound bites.

UT doesn't need to go indie, they already control their destiny.

Oklahoma has pretty much stayed quiet on the league breakup, but the Sooners are the real key as to the future of the Big XII.

My statement is in regards to the fact Academy football (All three of them) is about their branches and loyalty to that branch. The services stand still during Army v Navy, they have few real outsiders as fans, and let's face it, in regards to quality of football none of them deserve a major bowl game, but they deserve to play in front of people where they can provide a get-a-way to families who need it, and a pride to ones branch of service.

In my life I have been to the Super Bowl, a "national championship game", World Series, Stanley Cup Final, Ohio State v Michigan! Alabama v Aurbun, and I can honestly say nothing comes close to an Army Navy Game. The experience is amazing!!!!!

That's great.  But I don't think that's what BYU is looking for by going indy. 

JCW,
With that event history, I'd like to talk to your ticketing agent.  I'd settle for pretty much any one of those in a lifetime (except maybe the Ohio A&M thing).

No, but that's how this thread got started -- a discussion of going indy and what BYU was thinking about.

and at Bristol you avoid those unsightly wife beater sunburns so often seen at other races.

If/when you get the chance, be sure to make a full day of it. The afternoons in the parking lot tend to be a lot of fun (and full of wonderful food).