a scenario where dissolution is inevitable and a chunk of members want to leave early.

Most of us following along know it takes a super-majority to break the Big 12 GoR, but it also takes a super-majority to invoke various sanctions on departing members.

So now also consider the political ramifications of various votes.
If there is a vote and the GoR is not extended, I think deals will begin to be brokered.

Clearly those left out will receive payments for actual damages, but it's not like they will own years of broadcast rights for games they won't play.


edit: to illustrate, let's say the Big 12 dissolves with 5 years left on the GoR and that WVU and ISU (the only ones not politically beholding to another member) are left out of P conferences.

Actual damages to WVU and ISU would be approximately 5 years of conference media payouts. Would the remaining 8 schools be willing to pay perhaps $35 mil each to collectively compensate WVU and ISU to leave 5 years early? Compared to what Maryland paid to get out of the ACC, those aren't crazy numbers.
[Post edited by daveinop at 09/21/2016 2:24PM]