With two conferences threatening to rip apart the Big 12, Commissioner Dan Beebe said Friday he’s confident the league can remain together.

Beebe addressed reporters after meeting with Big 12 presidents and chancellors in Kansas City after a tumultuous week in which reports surfaced that the Pac-10 and Big Ten conferences might be targeting Big 12 schools for expansion.

“I’m very encouraged by the discussions and the course of action we’re taking,” Beebe said. “There’s still a process we’re going through, but based on the conversations we had I think we’re in very good position.”

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe said Friday at the Big 12 Conference meetings that he is confident the conference will remain intact, despite rumors of several schools leaving for the Pac-10 and Big Ten.
Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

The biggest factor in keeping the Big 12 intact is likely creating a new television package that’s competitive with the Big Ten and SEC.

Big 12 schools each receive $7 to $11 million annually from contracts with Fox and ESPN/ABC.

By comparison, each Big Ten school receives about $20 million annually, mostly from its own cable network deal.

SEC schools take in about $15 to $17 million apiece.

A united, thriving Big 12 is what Baylor President Ken Starr and Athletic Director Ian McCaw want.

“Ian and I have made our case clear: Baylor emphatically supports the Big 12 conference and wants to see it prosper,” Starr said in a statement. “In particular, we appreciate our fellow Texas institutions in the Big 12 and the special rivalries that entertain and energize our alumni. We are aware of the intense speculation surrounding the possible expansion of other conferences.

“We remain hopeful that the Big 12 will remain intact and continue to be one of the nation’s foremost athletic conferences.”

A report from Orangebloods.com said the Pac-10 could invite six Big 12 schools to an expanded league, including Colorado and Big 12 South schools Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Baylor conceivably could be left out in the cold in that scenario.

Baylor coaches realize that Big 12 revenues and the prestige the league brings have greatly benefited their programs. Women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has built one of the most successful programs in the country, winning the 2005 national championship and returning to the Final Four this spring.

“Our university depends so much on the TV revenue from the Big 12, and we need to realize that,” Mulkey said. “I hope it’s nothing more than rumors, and the Big 12 stays intact. I think a lot of this speculation is related to football and TV dollars.”

Men’s basketball coach Scott Drew enjoyed a breakthrough season with an Elite Eight appearance this year and realizes the Big 12 helped facilitate his program’s success.

“Whenever you’re the No. 1-ranked conference in the country in men’s and women’s basketball, it shows what a great league it is,” Drew said. “The Big 12 gives you an advantage in recruiting because players want to play in the best conferences in the country.”

Baseball coach Steve Smith thinks a lot of people don’t realize how successful Baylor has been in most Big 12 sports.

In the past seven years, the Bears have won 28 Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, ranking third behind Texas and Texas A&M.

“We bring a ton to the table,” Smith said. “We have, as an institution, had a phenomenal amount of success. If the Big 12 blows up, it will not be because of our players, coaches, administrators, faculty and staffs. You’ll have to find another reason to do it.”

Central Texas impact

City leaders and businessmen realize the economic impact the Big 12 has had on Baylor and Waco.

Baylor women's basketball player Jessica Morrow celebrates the Lady Bears' Big 12 championship at the 2009 tournament. The conference may be in distress as rival giants look to become even bigger by poaching Big 12 teams.
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

State Senate candidate David Sibley, who served in the Texas Legislature from 1991-2002, helped Baylor get in the Big 12 in the mid-1990s and would like to see the affiliation continue.

“It would be devastating for Baylor and Waco if the Big 12 split up,” Sibley said. “It’s just unspeakable to me. I think the Big 12 is a great conference that’s allowed the schools to compete at the highest levels. It would be short-sighted to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”

Sammy Citrano, the owner of George’s Restaurant & Catering, thinks Beebe needs to fight to keep the Big 12 intact.

“He needs to fight for all the schools and not leave Baylor hanging,” Citrano said. “If Missouri and Colorado left, that wouldn’t hurt that much. It’s holding the Big 12 South together — that’s important.”

Texas, Missouri and Nebraska have been rumored targets for the Big Ten.

Ohio State President Gordon Gee told Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany in an April 20 e-mail that Gee had spoken with University of Texas President Bill Powers.

“I would like for Texas to do what’s best for the university,” said Bernard Rapoport, a Waco businessman and former chairman of the University of Texas board of regents.

“I would trust their judgment in this matter more than mine,” he said.” There’s no other way to answer that question. As I understand it, they would get more money if they were part of the Big Ten or Pac-10. If money is what’s important, they ought to do it. If tradition is important, they ought not to do it.”

Most Big 12 fans think the conference is going to change in some way. But few want wholesale changes, like seeing half the league bolt to the Pac-10 for television dollars.

“Obviously, something is going to happen,” said Steve Smith, senior vice president for sports and special events at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. “I don’t think the Big 12 as we know it today is going to remain intact. I don’t know if Baylor is going to be left out. We’ll just have to wait and see and evaluate the net result. But the Big 12 has forced Waco to become a better college town.”

jwerner@wacotrib.com

757-5716

Tribune-Herald staff writer Brice Cherry and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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