Texas Football: 3 things that have to happen to join the SEC

Relinquishing the Longhorn Network

One of the biggest topics of conversation whenever you consider Texas bolting from the Big 12 to join any other conference is what to do with the Longhorn Network. While the Longhorn Network is one of the least profitable ventures in recent memory for ESPN and the Big 12, it is something that Texas is attached to at the moment.

Whatever way you would have to go about figuring out this situation with the Longhorn Network would not be easy. And the SEC definitely wouldn’t want a school with its own exclusive television network like this in the mix.

The original contract for the Longhorn Network with ESPN reportedly runs out in 2031, which is obviously a good ways from now. And about the only option that seems to be presented when considering what to do with the network is finding a much more accessible way to get the content out to the viewers (which would clearly be a good thing no matter what).

But annexing in the Longhorns with a conference like the SEC would mean that something would have to change with this network before 2031. And that involves getting ESPN into the discussions since the loss that this network produces really doesn’t hurt the bottom line of the University of Texas at all. That is an ESPN problem.

Discussing the Longhorn Network tends to be an unpopular topic for many reasons. That is true especially when you consider how it could impact Texas trying to leave the Big 12 and join a conference like the SEC.