Houston to a big boy conference?

[Political Hack]

I think they're going to eventually end up getting bumped up when the conferences expand again. Would the SEC add another TX school/western team? They can just move Auburn and Bama to the east in the next expansion.

[msstate7]

They can just move Auburn and Bama to the east in the next expansion.

Whatever it takes, get it done

[engie]

No. Nowhere for them to go.

The TV $$ model would have to change for them to have a chance to move up. Maybe to the "Big 12" if they eventually lose 4 schools to the Pac...

[IMissJack]

I think they're going to eventually end up getting bumped up when the conferences expand again. Would the SEC add another TX school/western team? They can just move Auburn and Bama to the east in the next expansion.

Maybe big XII, but adds nothing to SEC. There are more A&M and LSU fans than UH in Houston, much less in TX.

[Political Hack]

No. Nowhere for them to go.

The TV $$ model would have to change for them to have a chance to move up. Maybe to the "Big 12" if they eventually lose 4 schools to the Pac...

They don't add a TV market to the big 12 either though.

They're a top 5 city. If the city itself buys in I could see it being a huge bump in TV ratings overall. Texas is still primarily a Big 12 state. The SEC could split that in half just by adding Houston. But you're right overall in asking the question "larger portion of Texas TV market" or "a completely new market in a new area." Over expansion may be bad if we're giving away 80% of Texas to the Big 12.

[Quaoarsking]

If they string 4 or 5 more seasons together like this, maybe. TCU was a great program in the right place at the right time when the Big 12 was desperate, even though they didn't add any markets to the Big 12.

It would help if they can get some alumni into positions of power in Texas. Back when the Big 12 was created, Baylor was supposed to be left out because they were a terrible football program, but the governor and lt. governor of Texas were both Baylor alums, so they made it happen. Virginia Tech wasn't supposed to be invited to the ACC, but the governor of Virginia made it happen.

[Really Clark?]

Early talks are if the 10 school Big12 expands, BYU and Cincinnati will get in. Cin so WV will have a close opp and opens up Ohio TV. Most have said the Texas schools would probably block Houston.

[BulldogBear]

They don't add a TV market to the big 12 either though.

They're a top 5 city. If the city itself buys in I could see it being a huge bump in TV ratings overall. Texas is still primarily a Big 12 state. The SEC could split that in half just by adding Houston. But you're right overall in asking the question "larger portion of Texas TV market" or "a completely new market in a new area." Over expansion may be bad if we're giving away 80% of Texas to the Big 12.

I don't see this happening but to add to your stats, Houston also has the 3rd largest alumni base in the state.

[engie]

The tv markets are negotiated by state not by individual market. The SECnetwork is already available on every tv in Houston at full in-market price which probably is pushing $1.45/sub/mo this year

[EAVdog]

Big 12 is the obvious move. Houston has great facilities with a brand new Stadium that has more room to add. What they will bring is the ability for a Big 12 Championship Game. Which is $$$.

[engie]

Big 12 is the obvious move. Houston has great facilities with a brand new Stadium that has more room to add. What they will bring is the ability for a Big 12 Championship Game. Which is $$$.

No. For the same reason as the SEC. More pieces of the same pie. If they are adding more pieces -- they are going to make a bigger pie... The primary teams they are considering if expanding are well-known and Houston isn't even on the radar. Houston may be in the Big12 one day -- but it will be after Texas and Oklahoma are long gone and the conference has been poached of 4-6 teams and is booted from the elites in the same way the Big East was.