[JonDMiller]

Iowa State retains legal rights to block Texas A&M departure | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com

I think this is probably the smart play for them

[DuffMan]

Im not a lawyer but the first thing I would throw out would be the fact they didn't sue nebby or Colorado last year. I would think that would set some sort of precedence

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

The last act of a desperate man...Good luck Pollard.

[Mac50702]

I thought that they got their panties in a bunch because they got some new agreement not to break up the league and A&m is doing that now.

[theboat]

So much for that keeping silent thing.

[GO4ROZS]

how is this going t play now that the Arkansas ad is on the record saying the big 12 tried to get them to leave the sec?

[okeefe4prez]

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

Iowa State retains legal rights to block Texas A&M departure | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com

I think this is probably the smart play for them

I would want to see the contract between the schools and the conference, but if I were advising ISU and reading the tea leaves that the conference was likely toast, I absolutely would not sue. But in closed door meetings, I would whisper in Baylor's, TT's and K-State's presidents' ears how smart it is to sue in the hopes that they did. Then, when they sued, I would go show the Big East or whoever that I am a team player and am not going to resort to litigation if a team has an economic reason to leave the conference. No conference is going to want to take the crybaby team that runs into court when someone leaves, the presidents will think "what if my team gets an invite somewhere, do I want to end up getting sued?"

[brett108]

Do some scrolling around the internet guys. Almost every school in the Big 12 has the right to sue A/M still on the table, because the Board of Regents exercises that right. Tech president said they still have it as well. This is a piece of terrible reporting being done by the register. The only team threatening to sue right now is Baylor.

[eyekwah]

ISU is free to do as it wishes, but burning bridges may not be the wisest move. Would another conference want ISU after the way it is acting in this matter? Bad move unless it is the only move you have.

[beaverdaleguy]

ISU not waiving legal rights for A&M/SEC - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

ISU joins Baylor. Even they know that ISU is insignificant and would be sent to the MAC or C-USA...

[Lyddea]

Related to why TAMU leaving is different than talking to Arky or Neb leaving, the legal issue here is "tortious interference", which basically is interference by a third party in a contractual relationship that results in a breach of that contract and harm to the litigating party.

When Nebraska and Colorado left, the Big 12 did not dissolve and their media rights deals (one of which was expiring) were completely unaffected. Thus, there is no harm and hence no legal case.

Again, contacting Arky did not affect their contractual status as they did not leave the SEC due to those contacts, hence no legal case.

TAMU leaving the Big 12 may or may not kill the conference, but it will definitely breach the Billion dollar media rights deal signed by the Big 12 schools this past year. And clearly that is a harm for every school, to the tune of over $100M per school, not the kind of damages that can be papered over.

The lawsuit threat is real, and this situation is different than the Nebraska/Arky ones. Furthermore, Iowa State is doing the right thing here by protecting their interests, and not waiving their right to sue - especially because they would have a good case.

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

If ISU had a chair at another table they wouldn't be pulling this stunt. They really are desperate.

[ctbond]

It's a good move on their part. They see the writing on the wall and future isn't promising. Hopefully they don't settle for a pay off.

[Chickenlounge]

Now now now...let's all wait and see what UT tells ISU to do before we jump all over ISU.

[Stewo]

I don't see what the big deal is? ISU has, in no way, said anything or displayed any interest in sueing anyone. ISU has little to no power, so what would they possibly gain from this?