Big 12 commish says TV money solidified decision by schools to stay; no expansion plan

Big 12 commish: Future TV money helped survival

IRVING, Texas — The head of the Big 12 says the decision by Texas and other members to stay put was solidified by the knowledge that the league is valuable for television.

Commissioner Dan Beebe says no future TV deals have been reached, and he wouldn’t get into specific numbers during a 45-minute conference call Tuesday.

But he says consultants and media companies verified that the Big 12 — even as a 10-team league — is in a “tremendous position” to negotiate future TV deals that will be “on par with any in the country.” The league’s more lucrative contract with ESPN runs through the 2015-16 academic year, while a deal with Fox is reportedly in its final two years.

Nebraska and Colorado will be leaving the Big 12 over the next two years. The rest of the league this week decided to move on with 10 members.