I have to wonder whats their ultimate goal. I don't see this as anything other than finding any method to knock down others to make yourself appear better. Without LSUA&M in the mix, which had to legislate the "flagship" status to have anyone agree, it is the Louisiana educational system equivalent of the lowest common denominator. I think you're wrong if you believe any of the universities in this state would agree to anything that would help (or just not hinder) UL from being the best they can be academically or athletically.
Here's my thought. We have new construction going on all over campus with the student union, dorms, parking towers, speculating on new land purchases, increasing academic standards without losing enrollment, continuing progress in national academic circles. All of this without the 125M athletic master plan. Other universities around the state don't see any way that they can do what we are doing, and they are scared.
I don't see any way any of them would be willing to negotiate anything. We just need to keep on keeping on.