The Plot Thickens

Last night, Utah State and Boise State shed a little more light on this whole fiasco.  Utah State acted very honorably, albeit very naively.  They had an agreement and they stuck with it and stuck by BYU.  (Interesting that they would rather have been in the WAC with BYU, in all sports but football, than to be in the MWC with BYU, including football, but that's another story for another day...)  However, they stuck by their word.

Boise State pointed out that the expansion vote took place without BYU, and without BYU's knowledge on the fact.  Apparently, BYU was unwilling to cease exploring the independence option, so the rest of the MWC schools held a secret vote.  The fact that BYU was as surprised as the rest of the country at the invitation means that none of the MWC presidents, ADs, commissioners, etc. had the guts (or they had enough hatred) to even inform BYU that the vote took place.  The fact that Utah State was voted in as well means this had nothing to do with improving the conference, but had everything to do with destroying the WAC.  You cannot blame the MWC for the actions they took but you can blame them for the manner in which they did it.  They wanted to force BYU back to the table without any leverage so they wouldn't have to make any concessions.  And the Commissioner had the audacity to say that BYU is still a trusted, respected, and full-voting member of the MWC.  What hypocrisy!

Tom Holmoe, BYU's athletic director, did a Q&A yesterday and his comments were very telling.  There are articles for this all over but here is the article at the D-News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700058532/BYU-football-Holmoe-Things-are-playing-out.html

Some highlights: BYU can't get anybody to come play because of the Mtn. deal.  As soon as this independent thing came out, Texas is all of a sudden interested in an extended series (beyond the one-time game set in Austin next season).  They are only interested because of independence and ESPN, as Texas and BYU both stated.  If they are "close" to a deal, as both Texas and BYU stated in the past 24 hours, it stands to reason that BYU must STILL be "close" to independence.  I initially thought this wasn't going to happen after the WAC got smacked, but, if you read between the lines of what Holmoe, it can't possibly mean anything else.

Holmoe again mentions BYU broadcasting capabilities.  He mentions the "blackout" that the MWC TV deal forces on campus.  He talks about the need for exposure and how it isn't possible with the MWC.  He talks about how important of a partner ESPN is.  Why would you say that when your only currently contracted TV partner is Comcast/The Mtn?  It seems like he just wanted to demonstrate the many ways that the MWC is holding BYU back from doing what it can do.  BYU cannot be saying what it is saying if it is planning on returning to the MWC.  The MWC cannot be doing what it is doing and expect BYU to go back anyway but begrudgingly.  This marriage has turned extremely sour, extremely fast, and I expect a bitter divorce, sooner than later most likely, for the MWC's "adultery."

3 days ago I was adamantly opposed to BYU leaving the MWC.  But 3 days ago we lived in a different world.  After the events of the past 72 hours, I do not want to see BYU's continued membership with the current members of the MWC (and yes, I realize this would be an emotional decision, but it appears to be a good financial one too).  The MWC stabbed BYU in the back; willfully, repeatedly, and happily.  Fresno State and Nevada went back on agreements they had made, for money.  Utah State is the most honorable one here and they are getting screwed the most (and I felt bad for them already before I even knew what events had transpired behind the scenes).  I do not know where BYU will go, but I do not see any choice left for them but to leave the MWC (and I hope they bring Utah State along with them).  You cannot be treated with such disdain, lack of respect, and hypocrisy (especially by people who are making their living off of your revenue stream), and go on as if nothing happened.  They may not make the announcement before September 1, but they will make it!  I hope the announcement comes just as the TV contract is renegotiated but not signed.  That would be sweet justice.  Make them enter into negotiations all over again, without BYU!  Let's see how different that contract looks without the gravy train to pull it.