The Big 12 Conference dropped a bombshell on the college football landscape this afternoon with a series of scathing allegations by Commissioner Bob Bowlsby following the delivery by the Conference of a “cease and desist” letter to the Worldwide Leader in Sports. In short, the Big 12 (through Bowlsby) has accused ESPN of attempting to actively undermine the future of the conference by not only working with UT and OU for months behind the scenes on their departure to the SEC but also by trying to manipulate other conferences into poaching remaining Big 12 members. Bowlsby says he has evidence of at least one member being approached by another conference, allegedly at ESPN’s urging, and the entire effort is intended to allow UT and OU to leave the conference more quickly and without being required to forfeit revenue or pay any penalties.
Big 12 Conference Sends ESPN “Cease and Desist” Letter; Accuses Network of Attempting to Destabilize Conference
