Scott said in an interview that he's prefer to see the 12-team model work rather than to expand to 16.

Read more at: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6949738/pac-12-commissioner-larry-scott-expanding-pac-12

He may be doing this for legal reasons. If the Pac-16 happens, the remaining Big-12 members could sue the conference, just like Baylor is threatening to sue A&M and the SEC. So Larry doesn't want to give the impression that he is actively courting these teams. In other words, he may be avoiding the appearance of "interference with contract."

I agree with everything said above. It is also true that we were much more interested in getting to 16 a year ago because because adding Tx and Ok guaranteed a huge TV deal. We did so much better in those TV negotiations with Utah and CU getting us to 12 than anyone would have dreamed, and we don't need Tx and OK like we did a year ago.

LafayetteBear;563897 said:

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Fully agree, califasbear. Scott may perhaps feel this way now, but that would mean he's had a change of heart, since he was all in favor of going to 16 teams less than a year ago.

I think it is at least as likely that he is sending the message to Texas that "Hey, we don't need you guys. Enjoy trying to keep that 'Big 12' Conference (and your TV contract) together." He may very well be trying to light a fire under David Boren, and create a sense of urgency in DeLoss Dodds.

The rumors about Texas going to the ACC or the Big East are just hilarious. They remind me of the Pace Salsa commercials: "New York City?!!" Scott's leverage is very real; Dodds' is not. I'd hate to be playing poker with Larry Scott under any circumstances, but most especially with him holding all of the cards.

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I liked this comment from the article;

"and has provisions in the TV deals if expansion occurs."

Lary Scott is one sharp dude. Solid negotiation skills and vision to write in the contracts provisions for what-ifs...

califasbear;563888 said:

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Negotiation 101

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Larry has done a very good job so far. I'd say his one mistake came during this round of "potential expansion" when we were approached by OU/Texas and we (my speculation) told them too early what our position was. Rule of thumb every trader knows when dealing with people who are infrequent traders - "They will shop your bid." Which is of course what happened. It would have been better off to be non-committal but encouraging. Delay. Keep on delaying as long as possible until the other side of the transaction (i.e. TAMU) is finished. Then they have less time to shop your bid and bid competitors have less certainty about how high they have to bid to beat us.

But overall you gotta be very happy with the way Larry has performed. Lots of potential upside for the P12 from here.

LafayetteBear;563897 said:

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Fully agree, califasbear. Scott may perhaps feel this way now, but that would mean he's had a change of heart, since he was all in favor of going to 16 teams less than a year ago.

I think it is at least as likely that he is sending the message to Texas that "Hey, we don't need you guys. Enjoy trying to keep that 'Big 12' Conference (and your TV contract) together." He may very well be trying to light a fire under David Boren, and create a sense of urgency in DeLoss Dodds.

The rumors about Texas going to the ACC or the Big East are just hilarious. They remind me of the Pace Salsa commercials: "New York City?!!" Scott's leverage is very real; Dodds' is not. I'd hate to be playing poker with Larry Scott under any circumstances, but most especially with him holding all of the cards.

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Calcoholic;563904 said:

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He may be doing this for legal reasons. If the Pac-16 happens, the remaining Big-12 members could sue the conference, just like Baylor is threatening to sue A&M and the SEC. So Larry doesn't want to give the impression that he is actively courting these teams. In other words, he may be avoiding the appearance of "interference with contract."

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I agree that he's being strategic rather than expressing his true preference. Larry Scott is not going to sit by and let the PAC fall behind while other conferences expand into Super Conferences.