The Oklahoma Sooners Want Their Own Channel, And Might Get It.

[HT: Sports Business Journal]

The University of Texas are getting their own cable channel, Oklahoma wants one too.

Sports Business Journal is reporting that the University of Oklahoma is working with Learfield Sports, OU's multimedia rights holder, and an outside media adviser on the channel. OU has discussed this with Cox Communications, Fox Sports and ESPN about partnership deal.

Cox Communications, which is the dominant cable provider in Oklahoma, and Fox are considered the front runners according to SBJ.

“We are encouraged by the interest we have received and we’re making good progress,” said Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione told Sports Business Journal. “We’re being diligent so that we can develop a product that can be sustained for the long term.”

With Texas talking exclusively in partnering their cable channel with ESPN and now Oklahoma pursuing the same channel negotiating the next Big 12 TV deal is going to be very interesting. Those of us at the OSG HQ think Texas and Oklahoma holds all the cards in that negotiation, the other eight will be seen but not heard.