You sir offer insightful and educational information. Are you sure you know this is a message board?
Let me ask you if the Big XII is as solid as many on here would like to think? The BIG, SEC, Pac 12 and ACC all have their own conference channels. They all pay out equally if I'm not mistaken and have poached either proactively or reactively schools that meet their market.
The Big XII added West Virginia and TCU. Now you could say West Virginia expanded its footprint but it's an island surrounded by ACC and BIG fanbases. What is the plan going forward here because in five years will Oklahoma still be in the Big XII? You say Texas has kept the conference together but I would say that's only because it's been most beneficial to them. No other P5 conference would give them the autonomy to run their own channel in place of a Conference wide alternative.
I believe the cracks are there and soon the Sooners may break the foundation. If that happens...." Whoa Nelly!".
If the Big XII breaks up only one school can say they can go to any conference.
OU most likely can go to any conference they want to.
KU fans think they can get into the B1G like West Virginia fans think they can get into the ACC.
The universities that cannot get into any conference and understand are the ones who are carrying the Big XII flag in many different sports. Oklahoma State, Iowa State, TCU and Kansas St.
Just as long as these members continue to have success UT and OU stays. OU unless they can esthablish a recruiting footprint somewhere else will not leave the conference unless Texas goes as well. More importantly OU understands that UT can get them into any conference and can help with the T Boone Pickens Oklahoma State situation.
Concerning West Virgina. Just as long as they win and maintain a good side fanbase the Big XII will continue.
Sometimes in business you must get rid of certain parts of the company in order to move forward. You see it all the time. Just as long as you maintain the part of the company that generates revenue. None of the schools who left are as important as the schools who have stayed