Earlier this week, Texas president Bill Powers suggested that the continuing loyalty to the Big 12 would be sort of on the honor system, with each school pledging a long-term commitment.
Then Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins suggested a binding 10-year agreement in a story on AOL FanHouse.
OK, here's the explanation. Just got off the phone with Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe for a column that will run Sunday. In the process, I asked him about the apparent discrepancy.
Here's what Beebe said: As part of their plans for continuing the Big 12 with impending defections, Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Missouri agreed to 10-year commitments as a sign to other schools that might have considered joining or remaining in the league. The 10-year commitment now only applies to those five and may not be even applicable given the change in circumstances.
That said, Beebe acknowledged that the league might revisit its by-laws to strengthen its membership commitment.
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I originally saw this on the Rivals board, but it's also all over free sites including: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/about-that-10-year-big-12-commitment.html
Have I said, "Thank all things holy and unholy that we escaped the Big 12!!!" yet today?
Then Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins suggested a binding 10-year agreement in a story on AOL FanHouse.
OK, here's the explanation. Just got off the phone with Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe for a column that will run Sunday. In the process, I asked him about the apparent discrepancy.
Here's what Beebe said: As part of their plans for continuing the Big 12 with impending defections, Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Missouri agreed to 10-year commitments as a sign to other schools that might have considered joining or remaining in the league. The 10-year commitment now only applies to those five and may not be even applicable given the change in circumstances.
That said, Beebe acknowledged that the league might revisit its by-laws to strengthen its membership commitment.
***********
I originally saw this on the Rivals board, but it's also all over free sites including: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/about-that-10-year-big-12-commitment.html
Have I said, "Thank all things holy and unholy that we escaped the Big 12!!!" yet today?