Will WVU go to the SEC??

[Bull-Hornz]

Looks as though Baylor is threatening litigation, could hold up the deal for A&M. From what I have read the invite is contingent on the Big 12 not sueing.

http://www.foxsportstennessee.com/09/07/11/Texas-AM-set-to-join-SEC/landing.html?blockID=560408&feedID=3731

[2000bull]

doesn't surprise me, isn't baylor the one team w/ the most to lose if the Big12 shuts down? They're one of the teams you hear the least bit about in conference expansion.

[charsibb]

Gotta love this part.

UPDATE 8:42 AM: Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that A&M's move to the SEC is on hold due to the threat of litigation from Baylor. The President of Baylor is Ken Starr, former independent counsel whose inquiry led to the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton.

[Who'sYourData?]

Looks as though Baylor is threatening litigation, could hold up the deal for A&M. From what I have read the invite is contingent on the Big 12 not sueing.

http://www.foxsportstennessee.com/09/07/11/Texas-AM-set-to-join-SEC/landing.html?blockID=560408&feedID=3731

My prediction is that Baylor and probably the rest of the remaining B12 teams will get a truckload of money from the three Texas teams and the two Oklahoma teams.  If they each pony up $15mil, the other teams like Baylor would get like $12mil each.  They will probably also facilitate a landing spot for the other teams, and the lawsuit threat will disappear.  That will only slow the process by a day or two.  Money solves everything.

[macphisto]

WVU you instantly make 10+ mil more a year in revenue. If the SEC came calling they wouldn't hesitate telling the Big East to suck it

No, you don't instantly make anything.  If they decided to move to the SEC next year then they could lose $100 M or more and the SEC could get stuck in litigation too.  The Big East has a loyalty clause.  There's a $5M fee to leave the conference (fairly low) and a 27 month notice required.  If West Virginia leaving negatively impacts a Big East TV deal then they can be sued for that.  And if the SEC initiated any contact, they can also be named in the suit. 

The Big East's upcoming TV deal will be greater than the current one - probably at least double and greater than the ACC's current deal.  WVU leaving could cost the Big East $100M or more over a ten year period.  If WVU exits according to their contract then there's really no repercussions, but if they just decide to leave and breach the contract then they're liable for damage to the conference and are on the hook for anything the BE lawyers could convince a jury that they cost our conference.

West Virginia would see any financial gains from the SEC wiped out.

The only hope for them is if the Big East can be bought off and let them go next year amicably, but that's not happening.  2014 is the earliest they could join the SEC, but the SEC wants to renegotiate their contract sooner rather than later to try to hop over the PAC-12.  But Texas A&M is likely going to be bogged down in lawsuits and the SEC might decide its too messy to do anything right now.

One of the major reasons why the Big Ten stayed away from the BE last time was due to the loyalty clause.  The Big XII allowed for easier exits and Nebraska leaving didn't cause the conference to fall apart.  A&M may cause just that, so they are liable for lawsuits.  And if the SEC did anything to try to encourage it, then they are also going to be named in a lawsuit.

[Who'sYourData?]

Every conference has a loyalty clause, and they all get bought out.  If West Virginia has decided they are going to leave and give 27 months notice, the BE will let them leave earlier.  The BE won't want WVU around as a lame duck team.  Those clauses are built in to increase the amount of payout to get out of them. 

The money we are talking about it crazy.  $5mil isn't going to stop any team from leaving for a better situation. 

That said, I'm not all that convinced that WVU will leave, or even be offered.  But I do think if the SEC is going to negotiate with WVU and Missouri they will want both, not just take one and be done.  If the SEC can get the pair, they will easily be able to find a 16th team.  Or maybe they have a smaller fish in mind for that spot in the event both teams accept.

[Who'sYourData?]

Oh, there is no way A&M will be tied up in litigation.  It is in everyone's best interest if they leave.  Baylor is making a play to ensure they don't get left out of the musical chairs.  They really can't possibly believe they have any hope of winning a lawsuit.  In the end, the most harm they could claim is loss of revenue.  That will be compensated in some form or fashion and everyone will move on.

[Rizman]

WVU you instantly make 10+ mil more a year in revenue. If the SEC came calling they wouldn't hesitate telling the Big East to suck it

So would we.

The upside to USF is greater (TV Market, revenue) downside is the SEC like schools with on campus Stadiums.  Maybe we could get a deal, we will come for a smaller cut if you pitch in on helping us build the on campus Stadium.

[Apis Bull]

WVU you instantly make 10+ mil more a year in revenue. If the SEC came calling they wouldn't hesitate telling the Big East to suck it

So would we.

The upside to USF is greater (TV Market, revenue) downside is the SEC like schools with on campus Stadiums.  Maybe we could get a deal, we will come for a smaller cut if you pitch in on helping us build the on campus Stadium.

We won't be invited.  My point is, if we were we would jump at it.

[Cow Pie]

I think S.E.C. Is more likely to pull from the ACC rather than Big East.

WVU might end up in ACC tho

The problem is, there isn't anyone in the ACC they want that they can actually get for #14.

The Virginia Legislature will not let VT go without UVa.

North Carolina doesn't want to leave Duke...  NC State doesn't want to leave UNC...  Duke would be another Vanderbilt... Wake Forest is smaller than USF St Pete....

Maryland is a target for the Big Ten...

Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Clemson cannot get the votes ...

Boston College isn't "SE" for the "SEC" ...

So if the SEC just wants one team, the next best bet is WVU...

I agree with this assessment, also you have to consider that the SEC really wants to have a team in every state in Dixie... right now all they lack is Missouri and Virginia and they have the entire region blanketed. The SEC really wants VT from what ESPN Radio has been reporting but as you have stated, no way will the Virginia legislature allow VT to sneak away from the Cav's now that they are together.

Personally I think that Mizzou might be a good target for the SEC as well... Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas A&M really want Mizzou to be added since they are a regional rival. But then again the SEC wants to avoid a lawsuit and since Baylor is sue happy I don't see the SEC going back into the Lil12 to take another team, unless the PAC comes through and guts it. The rumors have the PAC in negotiations with UT, OU, OSU, and TT to join the PAC and subsequently make the PAC into the first 16 team super conference.

If the PAC guts the Lil12 then I can see the SEC nabbing Mizzou and then taking WV and one of the following teams from the ACC to reach 16 teams (FSU, Clemson, Ga Tech).

They are talking about it right now on ESPN Radio on the Herd... ESPN is reporting that the PAC16 is in the works. Everything was pending on the SEC's approval of Texas A&M as the 13th team.