Oklahoma is debating whether staying in the Big 12 or pursuing a move to the Pac-12 makes sense for the long-term stability of the school's athletic interests, including weighing the idea of leaving the footprint of neighboring states that makes travel easier for the Sooners' passionate fan base.
A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com that the Sooners were perfectly happy in the Big 12, even after Nebraska left for the Big Ten, thanks to the conference's new 13-year television deal with Fox worth $90 million annually and three remaining years on an existing contract with ESPN/ABC that was paying out $65 million a year. The money was split among 10 teams instead of 12, thanks to the loss of the Cornhuskers and Colorado, which ended up in the Pac-12.
However, Texas A&M's announcement to leave the Big 12 next summer started the process of Oklahoma reconsidering its situation, the source said.
