But it’s not really alive yet, either.
The Pac-12 is staying put, shutting down that escape hatch. Both the Longhorn Network and the academics of Oklahoma State and Texas Tech appear to have been issues. But the AP article also says “A person familiar with the schools’ discussions said Texas and Oklahoma officials are expected to meet in the next few days to negotiate an agreement to keep the universities in the league for at least the next five years.”
The Big 12 and Fox set up a 13-year deal last year. The ABC/ESPN contract expires in five. This could happen all over again in half a decade. (Assuming, that is, we get through this first.)
Oklahoma now says it’s committed to the Big 12.
Before the Pac-12’s announcement late Tuesday, the Mountain West reportedly reached out to Iowa State among others. Even if all other factors were equal, the nearest MW team to ISU is Wyoming, 579 miles away.
(A side travel note: Ames and Columbia are both closer to Morgantown WV than Austin or College Station.)
End result as of the noon hour Wednesday: We can breathe. Slightly.