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Neinas criticizes Mizzou for not delaying SEC move until 2013
By MIKE DeARMONDThe Kansas City Star
Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas was clearly peeved when he told the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette on Wednesday that Missouri’s move to the Southeastern Conference next school year was “selfish” and “disruptive.”
But Neinas didn’t just stop there when contacted by telephone by The Star on Thursday afternoon.
He was asked why he was saying those things now when Missouri’s move to the SEC in 2012-13 was already announced, just as Neinas had already assured West Virginia’s move from the Big East to the Big 12 would happen in 2012.
“Because it’s true,” Neinas said.
Neinas went on to say that the Big 12 offered Missouri concessions to stay in the Big 12 and not move to the SEC until 2013-14.
But Neinas would not reveal any specifics of that offer and supposed concessions, but did contend that SEC commissioner Mike Slive had told Neinas that Slive would be willing to delay MU’s inclusion in the SEC until 2013-14.
“Mike Slive,” Neinas said, “said that he could live with 13 teams (for 2012). He advised Missouri not once, but twice. Mike also advanced our proposal to Missouri as did our (Big 12) chairman, Burns Hargis.
“Missouri declined and said they wanted to go in ’12.
“They knew full well what would happen if they went in ’12 because it was a domino theory,” opening up further conference chaos across the nation.
“That’s exactly what’s happened,” Neinas said.
The Big 12 is counting on West Virginia to restore the league to 10 teams and help fulfill its obligation to Fox Sports Net, which begins a 13-year, $1.2 billion cable TV rights deal this season. But the Big East intends to hold West Virginia to the conference’s 27-month departure notice, which would allow the Mountaineers to relocate in 2014-15.
A judge has ordered a nonbinding mediation between the parties and scheduled a status conference for Feb. 9.
Missouri, in November, informed the Big 12 it was heading to the SEC in 2012. Soon thereafter, Neinas said, he took part in a teleconference involving “the SEC, the Big East, the ACC, the Mountain West and Conference USA.”
During that teleconference Neinas suggested some of a moratorium on conference moves for the 2012 season.
“I said if we all hold serve we can avoid money, litigation and have a reasonable and orderly transition process if it happens in 2013 rather than 2012,” Neinas said. “Because of the date Missouri said they were leaving, it put everybody in a bind.”
Missouri athletic director Mike Alden was in NCAA meetings in Florida on Thursday. MU athletic department spokesman Chad Moller said Alden was aware of some of Neinas’ comments and that the athletic department planned no comment.
An MU spokesman referred Neinas’ comments to MU chancellor Brady Deaton, but without an expectation that Deaton would respond either.
Neinas apparently was unconcerned about playing nice in the middle of a Big 12 basketball race in which Missouri currently stands second in the league standings and ranked No. 2 in the nation. There will not be a move, apparently, to attempt to force Missouri to stay.
“They’re gone,” Neinas said. “Those are just the facts. I didn’t make it up.”
Neinas refused to comment on exit fees for Missouri and Texas A&M as they depart the Big 12 for the SEC. Nor would he comment on when he might comment.
But as he has on several occasions during the last week, Neinas said he anticipated West Virginia — despite a lawsuit by the Big East to keep them — would join the Big 12 for the 2012-13 season.
“We have a schedule with West Virginia,” Neinas told the Gazette. “We have a contractual commitment with our television partners that we must release a schedule by Feb. 1 and we will do that.”
In much the same manner as he spoke of Missouri, Neinas also criticized the Big East in the Gazette story.
“The Big East gets on planes and flies all over the country inviting other schools,” Neinas said. “But they raise hell when West Virginia wants to come to the Big 12?”