Update: On Thursday the Pac-12 announced that it will not expand its membership and the Big 12 athletic conference is exploring options for expansion.
The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma announced they will leave the Big 12 athletic conference by the 2024-2025 academic year. The loss of Texas Tech’s fiercest competitors has left the university in a vulnerable position, and the economic hit could ripple out the community of Lubbock. The potential multi-million-dollar hit has caused lawmakers to circle back to an old debate surrounding the allocations of the Permanent University Fund (PUF)--money that Tech does not receive.
Guests:
Don Williams, sports writer, Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Sarah Self-Walbrick, senior reporter, Texas Tech Public Media
Helpful Links:
Williams column: Pac-12's decision latest body blow to Big 12
Williams: UT exiting Big 12 for SEC not a plus for Red Raiders
Hocutt 'not pleased' at Big 12's exclusion from other conferences' partnership talks
Lawmakers concerned about UT leaving Big 12 conference make their case to Gov. Greg Abbott's office, from The Texas Tribune
After Big 12 Changes, West Texans Question Equity Of One Higher Education Fund, from Sarah Self-Walbrick
