...conference into a mega conference to rival the SEC and the Big 10 and kill off the Big 12 as a p5 rival opening an easier path for Pac12 teams to get into the CFP. It would've also weakened ESPN's domination of college football. Even if the ESPN/Texas deal for the LHN is a money loser it was a big money maker for ESPN in the long run (think loss leader that brings customers in to the store to then fill up a shopping cart purchasing other goods) because it helped keep the conference together and prevented a huge shift in control over to Fox and the Pac12. By offering Texas the LHN, ESPN was able to prevent them and OK from joining forces in going to the Pac12 and instead kept the Big12 intact and together. It's a money maker for Texas now and eventually will be a huge moneymaker for them, once ESPN recoups their initial investment it will be 70% profit going to Texas.

Instead of adding two HUGE trophy pieces (Texas and OK) and some bit parts (TT, OK St, etc) the Pac12 was forced to settle for 2 teams that nobody outside of Boulder or SLC care much about and the Pac12 is getting lapped by the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and soon ACC financially and/or competitively. Larry Scott managed to get himself a sweet gig as maybe the highest paid commissioner in p5 while not having to deliver much of anything in return. He keeps laughing and cashing those paychecks while stringing the conference along as the Pac12 falls further and further behind the rest of college football.

As to the comment that back then Texas was a prima donna, it doesn't matter now because they've gone through a major reality check since then and calmed down. After the Pac-10 failed in their attempt to destroy the Big12 and had to go with Plan B, Texas was instrumental in thwarting the Pac10, pulling the Big12 remaining schools together and keeping the conference from imploding. When it counted most they stepped up and showed some leadership.