Holmoe explains Sooner deal
Athletic director Tom Holmoe took a moment before Tuesday’s basketball game to take questions on BYU’s season opener against No. 1 Oklahoma in September.
Holmoe said the deal came about after a conversation with ESPN a long time ago. “This has been in the works for some time,” he said.
Dave Brown, an ESPN executive, called Holmoe and asked if BYU would be interested in playing Oklahoma in Dallas when the Cowboys opened their new facility.
“I told him, yeah, we certainly would consider it. It is a great opportunity.”
As the deal came down, it is a game owned by the Cowboys. “I’ve never had to deal with an NFL team since I’ve been around college sports,” said Holmoe, “So, it’s been a little different.”
The actual deal concluded on Monday and Holmoe didn’t know if the Cowboys would give permission to announce it right away because of Oklahoma’s game with Florida this week. “But it turned out not to be a problem and we went with it.”
Holmoe said when he told Bronco Mendenhall about it some time ago, Mendenhall welcomed the opportunity and didn’t blink. “He was very optimistic.”
“He told his players today and let them know they all better be ready and prepared and it starts right now. If you’re going up against Oklahoma, even if they lose some players, it’s still a program that has quality talent and just reloads.”
Mendenhall told Holmoe playing Oklahoma is a great opportunity to measure BYU’s team early and find out where they stack up.
The deal forces the Cougars to wipe out contracts for a home and home with Arizona State. Those games simple disappear, said the AD. “We don’t have anything with them right now.” He also explained BYU did not have to pay ASU anything to get out of the home and home deal.
Holmoe refused to discuss terms of the Dallas Cowboy contract and what the game is worth to the Cougars. There are rumors that a similar game Oct. 5 (Arkansas-Texas A&M) owned by the Cowboys in the new stadium involving two college teams would bring in $5 million to each team. Holmoe refused to talk money.
It is unique that Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones would have Oklahoma and BYU play in the new stadium in Arlington before his own team. It will not be ready for an August preseason game for the Cowboys.
“We are excited to host such strong tradtional college football programs as those at the University of Oklahoma and Brigham Young for the first-ever college football game in our stadium,” said Jones in a press release.
“I don’t think there is a better place than Texas to celebrate the kickoff of the 2009 college football season and I don’t think you will find a better stadium for watching that football action than our new home in Arlington.”
ESPN is looking to partner up with Jones and the Cowboys in future years, according to ESPN president George Bodenheimer.
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