Partially correct

Posted on: November 20, 2024 at 16:00:47 CT

Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech had approached the Pac 12 about moving to that conference. The move was turned down by the PAC 12 Presidents, but not permenantly rejected.

David Boren, the former U.S. Senator and then President of Okalhoma, then gave a public press conference at which he suggested that Okalhoma, et al. would continue to explore a move to other conferences.

Brady Deaton, Mizzou Chancellor, concluded that if Teexs, OU, etal moved to the another conference that Mizzou would end up in a lesser conference with a less lucrative TV deal and Tiger Athletics could not function if that happened. Deaton then told Mike Alden to look at alternatives.

Alden approached the Big Tenl about Mizzou following Nebraska. It agreed to accept Missouri on the same terms as it had taken Nebraska. Those were only a 50% distribution from the conference for the first five years. Deaton then instructed Alden to approach the SEC. It agreed to accept Mizzou and give it a full share immediately. The offer was accepted by Mizzou.

So the bottom line is Deaton/Alden were concerned the Big 12's instability would result in a future reduction in TV money for the Athletic Department which they considered to be unacceptable. So they started looking elsewhere and Mizzou ended up in the SEC.