OU President David Boren Speaks Out On ‘Disadvantages’ Of Big 12, Ending Longhorn Network

On Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Council approved a proposal allowing FBS conferences without 12 members to hold a conference championship game.

That means the ten-team power five also known as the Big 12 will be allowed to have a championship game without having to expand.

After the approval, OU President David Boren spoke out about the disadvantages of the Sooner’s conference and didn’t hold back.

"The Big 12 is disadvantaged when compared to the other conferences in three ways. We do not have at least twelve members, we do not have a conference network, and we do not have a championship game,” Boren said in a statement he released to OU Daily. “I think that all three of these disadvantages need to be addressed at the same time. Addressing only one without addressing all three will not be adequate to improve the strength of the conference."

When Boren stated that one of the problems with the Big 12 was not having a conference network, he was taking a jab at the Longhorn network, in which he wants to end.

Many blame Texas and the network deal with ESPN worth $300 million for 20 years (2011) for veering teams away from the conference. 

Nebraska (Big 10), Texas A&M (SEC), and Missouri (SEC) who were all formers members of the Big 12 eventually made conference changes in which Nebraska’s decision to leave was Texas related.

Not to mention, the deal was probably one of the worst programming decisions ESPN’s ever made due to the fact it’s cost them so much money.

It’s not hard to see why Boren wants to end the network. When you look at conferences such as the SEC and the Big 10 who have prosperous networks and you’re in a conference that’s been a merchant compared to the perceived monarchism of the network, you want to see change.

But we can’t blame Texas entirely; any program that was offered a deal like that would’ve jumped at the opportunity.

So, will Boren further his platform and fight for reform?

Will the Longhorn network eventually become the Big 12 Network in order to strengthen the conference? If so, could each school reach a financial agreement? Will the conference expand to 12 teams?

Only time will tell.