the Big 12 offices stated that BYU was the most professional and cordial without ridiculous demands of anyone being vetted.

People have to remember sports is a big business. BYU wanted assurances that Texas and Oklahoma wouldn't leave the conference. What experienced and intelligent business person entering into a merger wouldn't want the same - an idiot of course!

Hind-sight is always perfect, or so it seems. Protecting one's assets and business, is not. I recall despite my counsel on two separate acquisitions, to not go forward; yet, the decision was made to acquire. The reason given for the first acquisition was to please the President of the subsidiary company making him feel he has some autonomy and authority. The reason for the second, was to gain market share and please stockholders. In both instances, the newly acquired businesses were liquidated within three years, costing the acquiring company millions. Of course, market share and reputation were both lost.

I have vetted over 150 companies ranging in assets between $500 million to $50 billion. Of those vetted, over 50 or 1/3 have been acquired and are doing well. The point is, not every vetted company is what it publicizes to be. I remember we were vetting two companies fortunately back-to-back (one in Arizona and the other in New Mexico). During the vetting process we discovered the two companies were actually transferring the same assets back and forth to make themselves look more attractive. (We discovered they were related via key outside individuals.)

The vetting process includes: what key management and key employee(s) will leave if the merger is passed? What percent of the customer base will defect? What demographics does the departing customer base make-up, and so on. What impact will these changes have on the value of the company and the ability to remain or become profitable once the merger is finalized?

BYU was doing a sound vetting process. They were asking the right questions that needed to be answered to protect themselves and yes, us the fans. Heck, even the Big12 members were asking the same question - what if Texas and Oklahoma were to leave, where does that leave us???

BYU was fortunate and wise enough to have a solid back-up plan in the works. Like it or not, Independence at that time was a great victory for BYU in terms of finances, exposure, and stability.

So can we please stop with the false rumors and give credit due to Tom and President Worthen for guiding us through the fog. I can only imagine (not placing Tom and President Worthen on the same level) Prophets of old and modern day prophets must have heard the same complaints as they traveled to unknown places. We should have joined the Donner group. We should have settled in who knows where. They don't know what they are doing!!!! We don't know where we are going...Are we there yet??

Go Cougars!!!!!!!!!!!!!