The annual match up between the football teams from The University of Texas and The University of Oklahoma have taken place since 1900. The game has been played in Dallas since 1912. The so-called 'neutral' location that this game has and will continue being played at, (at least until 2015), has been the cause and focus of much controversy and debate. Although the Dallas location that has been home to the game for nearly a century now, and is nearly equidistant between the two rivals, it is not the true home turf of either rival. Oklahoma argues the fact that the game is played within the Texas borders and puts them at a disadvantage. Both teams make the argument that the game counts as a home game for one of the teams, alternating each season, even though the game is never truly played at their home field.
The Cotton Bowl has been home to The Red River Shootout since 1932. The fact that the stadium has limited seating and was becoming quite rundown until recent renovations over the past few years fueled arguments against allowing the game to remain at the Dallas location. Although The Cotton Bowl now seats more that OU's home stadium after the recent renovations, it still seats less than UT's home at DKR Memorial Stadium.
Another part of the debate on whether the game should remain being played in Dallas deals with the economic aspects surrounding the game. Being one of the biggest games played each year in the Big XII conference, it is estimated that The Red River Shootout generates an approximate $17 million in profits for Dallas area businesses. Although the arguments are stronger from the Oklahoma side, businesses located in both teams' hometowns can argue that this is a potential gain worth fighting for in the debate involving whether or not the game should be alternate between the two rivals' true hometowns. Oklahoma sincerely argues that its businesses never have a chance of seeing the economic benefits this game generates, while The University of Texas is in fact receiving some residual benefits annually.
Although it seems the arguments for both teams remain strong for moving the location of the game to be played alternating between their two actual home turfs, there are many who will argue the opposite. With the new renovations made to The Cotton Bowl, the stadium has improved its seating capacity and amenities and allows ticket sales that split the stadium equally between Texas and Oklahoma fans. With the newly signed contract to keep the game being played at The Cotton Bowl, each team is now receiving $850,000 in grant money which was in past only $250,000. To many, discontinuing playing this game at the Dallas location would mean breaking tradition that has taken place over the better part of a century, and perhaps lead to a lessening of the rivalries between the two schools from a spectator's standpoint. Of the 90,000 seats available inside The Cotton Bowl, the game attracts far more spectators than are actually allowed inside who contribute to each teams' spirit in the rivalry. Based on this level of attendance, hosting the game in Austin, Texas would be clearly reasonable, however, is Norman, Oklahoma capable of accommodating this large of an unruly crowd?
Regardless of what or how strong the debates that surround this situation are at this point, The Red River Shootout will be played at The Cotton Bowl until 2015. Assuredly, further negotiations and debates are to come in the future...
Leaving all matters aside from the debate over the future of The Red River Shootout, OU and its fans clearly have other issues to think about in the meanwhile...
jm
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