Big 12 Spring Meetings: Expansion, TV network unlikely, Baker Mayfield rule passed

The Big 12 has voted against a rule that would have given Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield an extra year of eligibility and expansion seems far off.

Big 12 spring meetings are underway and there is no shortage of important topics to discuss.

There is the recent fallout at Baylor where Art Briles was fired, athletic director Ian McCaw resigned and former President Ken Starr was demoted to chancellor before resigning on Wednesday. Baylor is one of three Big 12 schools without a university president right now.

Big 12 expansion has been a hot topic for what feels like years but it’s been intensified in recent weeks and months, but conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby says the conference isn’t at the point of talking about adding schools yet. Texas AD Mike Perrin thinks the Big 12 would be wise to stay at 10 for now.

Bowlsby hopes to bring it to a vote later this summer, however. Along with the potential expansion, a possible TV network will likely be a part of the discussion too.

While there are no official decisions made in regard to expansion or a TV network, the Big 12 did decide to vote against a rule that would have allowed walk-ons to transfer to a place where they could get a scholarship without losing a year of eligibility.

UPDATE 6/2: One day after voting against the rule proposal, the Big 12 reversed course and had a new vote and it passed 7-3, allowing Baker Mayfield an extra year of eligibility. 

It would have been the Baker Mayfield Rule for lack of a better term because the Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman candidate would have had an extra year of eligibility had the rule passed. Now, Mayfield would have to transfer to get a fourth year. The vote came in at 5-5 but needed a 6-4 result to be passed.

Mayfield walked on at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma but had to sit out a year due to NCAA and Big 12 transfer rules.

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Considering he’s not a top NFL Draft prospect, Mayfield could go the Russell Wilson route and play his final season elsewhere and would, in essence, be a coveted free agent.

And there would be no shortage of suitors for the Heisman contender who led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff last year and could do so again this year.

I don’t like Bowlsby’s comments because denying a walk-on a scholarship opportunity completely goes against what’s best for the player, which is what coaches, administrators and the NCAA preaches they have their best interest at heart.

That doesn’t seem to be the case in this instance.

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So to recap today’s happenings at the Big 12 spring meetings. Conference expansion isn’t happening now, but it might in the future. I’ll believe it when I see it. There is no movement on a TV network, which could be tied to possible expansion and the Big 12 doesn’t want walk-ons to get scholarships.

For more Big 12 coverage, you can check out our hub page.