After weekend reports suggested confidence that Missouri was going to remain in the Big 12 Conference, the school’s board of governors had other ideas.
On Tuesday, Missouri’s board voted unanimously to give chancellor Brady Deaton the authority to explore options, meaning the Tigers could very well leave the Big 12 for the mighty SEC.
Last week’s agreement of the league’s members to give their first- and second-tier television rights to the Big 12 for the next six years didn’t sit well with Missouri’s board.
Steve Owens, interim president of the University of Missouri system, said, “what brings us here tonight is that the Big 12 Conference is now requesting that its members make binding, long-term irrevocable commitments to the conference.”
Uneven revenue distribution has been the primary issue among the Big 12′s members, leading to the departures of Colorado, Nebraska and Texas A&M.
Another major area of concern is the University of Texas’ television deal with ESPN that created the Longhorn Network.
Also expressing his displeasure with the Big 12 has been Missouri’s football coach Gary Pinkel, who has been a vocal critic of the conference.
Tigers’ Athletic director Mike Alden has echoed Pinkel’s frequent remarks and fans across the state of Missouri have expressed their interest in leaving the Big 12.
Although the SEC hasn’t shown outward interest in Missouri, it’s widely believed that the league would accept the Tigers as its 14th member.
The advantages of Missouri becoming a member of the Southeastern Conference are numerous, beginning with an equal revenue sharing plan.
The SEC distributed $18.3 million to each of the league’s members earlier this year. While Missouri’s share of Big 12 revenue is unknown, it’s likely an amount much less than what they could receive in the SEC.
In addition, SEC commissioner Mike Slive has indicated the conference will seek to renegotiate its television deals once the league settles on a fixed number of members.
With Texas A&M joining the conference next year and the possible addition of Missouri, in all likelihood the SEC will be able to negotiate new deals with their television partners unequaled in college athletics.
Missouri clearly has a golden opportunity, one that may never present itself again. If ever there was a time for Mizzou to make the jump, that time is now.
In the coming weeks, don’t be surprised to hear the news that Missouri will leave the Big 12 and join the SEC.
