Can UH boost the Big 12's ratings in the Houston market?

— -- Not six years ago, the Big 12 completely dominated the Houston television market, the second-largest within the conference footprint and 10th-biggest in the country.

In fact, in 2010, according to ratings that Nielsen provided to ESPN.com, Big 12 teams played in nine of the top 10-rated regular-season games in the Houston market.

But in the wake of two devastating rounds of conference realignment to the Big 12, the conference's stranglehold on one of its most vital markets has been lost. And in swiping away Texas A&M, the SEC has since staged its own H-Town takeover.

"The SEC right now owns the city of Houston from a TV ratings standpoint," said University of Houston board chair Tilman Fertitta. "Those eyeballs in Houston are extremely important to the Big 12."

As it seeks an invitation to join the Big 12 in the event the league expands at some point this year, Fertitta and UH officials have been making a twofold pitch to Big 12 leaders.

One, that the Big 12 has lost the Houston market to the SEC.