unravelling. In fairness, it was very real concern. They believed they were in a position where the B12 needed them more than they needed the B12.

I felt at the time the remnants of a smaller B12 adding teams like WVU, TCU, Louisville(at the time) was an upgrade to the MWC or Indy. If the B12 couldn't remain intact by adding such teams, then go Indy. I don't believe the ESPN deal was a now or never situation. I don't need the obligatory "B12 never extended invitation" responses.

I don't doubt that at all. An invitation comes after successful negotiations, which follows agreeing in principle to a long list of potential "deal breaker" sticking points. Therefore, it's truthful to say no invite, and no negotiations. The fact TCU got in after the B12 said they weren't interested in TCU is enough to make a common sense conclusion that BYU likely could have taken that spot. Again, spare me the "that's all wild speculation, TH said we didnt have invite or negotiations" responses.

It's embarrassing for both parties when public negotiations fail to result in a deal. It's why such talks are held behind such a strict wall of privacy and security. I'm not blaming anybody, but it's my opinion the risk averse nature of the men in charge of BYU saw more risk than opportunity. They couldn't foresee it would only get more difficult, and the opps more and more out of reach.

And after the Mtn debacle, they overplayed their hand a bit in seeking guarantees and assurances beyond what the B12 found reasonable, and possibly set off alarm bells re; the oft heard "BYU is difficult to work with" narrative. Whether BYU is or not, I have no clue, but it's heard often enough that I believe that is the perception. It seems the concern many of us saw then is starting to be felt by more and more fans. The exposure argument could only distract from the real issues for so long.I really hope that it wasn't the only opp., and the consequences much more profound than anybody realized.