TU declined OSU's offer of an additional football-basketball deal
Published: 12/2/2009 8:51 AM
Last Modified: 12/2/2009 2:27 PM
Tonight's Oklahoma State-University of Tulsa competition is significant in that fans are treated to a quality basketball game and TU savors what has become a rarity – a sellout at the Reynolds Center.
In 2006, the schools agreed on a contract for three football games and four men's basketball games. The basketball series began last year, with OSU prevailing in a blowout at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The football series begins next year. The Cowboys and Golden Hurricane meet in 2010 at Stillwater, in 2011 at TU's Chapman Stadium and in 2012 at Stillwater.
Considering the terms of the basketball arrangement, why isn't tonight's game being played at the BOK Center? During the series, the home team keeps 100 percent of the ticket revenue. Instead of 8,355 at the Reynolds Center, there likely would have been a crowd of 15,000 or more at the BOK. TU would have kept every penny of the ticket revenue.
The 2010 OSU-TU basketball game will be played at the BOK Center. OSU has access to half of the tickets, but TU keeps all of the money.
Also, why didn't TU athletic director Bubba Cunningham accept the offer of an additional football-men's basketball contract? OSU proposed a second contract, which would have included three additional football meetings and four additional basketball games.
In spite of attendance problems in both sports, TU said no.
In both sports, TU and OSU should play on a frequent and long-term basis. It's a natural and compelling rivalry. The campuses are separated by only 73 miles.
Until last year, the Cowboy and Hurricane basketball teams hadn't met in 12 years. That's ridiculous.
– Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
