But they are smart enough not to force their way on everything. For many issues they have Tech, A&M and Oklahoma all voting with them, since they largely have the same interests. Beyond that, they are the 1,000 pound gorilla, the Big 12 schools knows that having Texas in the conference increases the worth of the entire conference. Texas is a huge school, 50,000 students, and has a correspondingly large number or alumni.

As for the most money, Texas is guaranteed nothing by the Big 12, other than the same payments other schools get. The TV deal is structured so that those that are on national TV the most get the most money -- and over the life of the Big 12 it is Oklahoma that has gotten the most football TV money from the conference because they (in the Big 12 years) have been the best football program (most TV appearances, most Big 12 title game appearances, most Big 12 championships, etc.). Just that Texas is so good in so many sports (like Shogonai said), not to mention their large fanbase, that they are always one of the top earners because TV providers want them on.