NORMAN — The idea surfaced the only way Bedlam football does these days in Oklahoma: in casual conversation.
Norman mayor Stephen Tyler Holman and Stillwater mayor Will Joyce were sitting around last week at the Oklahoma Municipal League Congress of Mayors in Oklahoma City when talk drifted to football.
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What if Bedlam came back?
Despite the scheduling obstacles, there is mutual interest in the Cowboys and Sooners meeting in football for the first time since OSU’s win in 2023.
The suggestion — made mostly for fun — turned into a mock legislature amendment during the annual gathering, where mayors from across the state role-play committee meetings on everything from infrastructure to economic development.
The room liked it. The amendment drew applause and passed unanimously without debate. Everyone laughed.
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“It was a for fun amendment that we added to the list of economic development issues,” Holman told The Oklahoman. “Really no detail on the structure, how we go about it, or if it’s even possible, the idea of it was the legislature stepping in and doing something to make OU and OSU play each other every year.”
Holman later announced the symbolic proposal — which would require OU and OSU to play a nonconference football game annually for economic development purposes — during the Norman City Council meeting on Tuesday.
For now, Holman said he doesn’t expect any state representatives to carry the proposal forward. Still, he said OU has made clear to him that it remains open to continuing the in-state rivalry in football.
“Since our announcement in 2021 that we would join the Southeastern Conference, leaders at the highest levels of our university underscored our commitment to continuing the Bedlam rivalry, one of the most celebrated in the nation,” OU athletics wrote in a statement to The Oklahoman.
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“Our pledge was to play Oklahoma State in every sport, every year. We’ve been able to achieve that in several sports, but unfortunately despite our efforts, that hasn’t been the case in football.”
The Sooners and Cowboys continue to face each other regularly in other major sports like basketball, baseball and softball. Oklahoma State’s new football coach, Eric Morris, even raised eyebrows during his introductory news conference when he said he hoped to revive the rivalry.
“If anyone asks Coach Morris if I welcome that game, I welcome it with open arms,” Morris said.
Scheduling remains the primary hurdle. OU has explored adding Oklahoma State as a nonconference opponent in football, but both programs have games scheduled years into the future. SEC scheduling parameters require the Sooners to play at least one nonconference game against a Power Four opponent — the slot OU has attempted to reserve for OSU.
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The next opening on OU’s schedule without a Power Four opponent already booked is 2031.
“I tend to think that OSU coming to Norman instead of UTEP or New Mexico would probably generate more economic activity, sales tax revenue, things like that, then those two teams would,” Holman said. “I would expect for Stillwater, OU coming into town every other season, would be a big deal for sales tax and local businesses there.
“We mutually think it would be good for both of our cities for Bedlam to come back in football.”
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The economic impact of major nonconference games in Norman has been significant over the past decade. City officials have documented increases in tourism activity when marquee programs such as Ohio State, Nebraska and Michigan have visited, compared with opponents that draw less travel.
It’s difficult to imagine the return of Bedlam — in either city — wouldn’t have a similar effect.
While Holman and Joyce are mostly having fun, both believe the rivalry’s return would be good for business. OU, for its part, has signaled it is ready to explore the possibility.
For now, Bedlam football remains a conversation — much like the one that sparked the mayors’ idea.
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“While we know this is not official legislation, the idea of bringing back Bedlam football is always welcome and we’re ready to explore the possibility with Oklahoma State officials again,” OU athletics wrote. “Our broader partnership with OSU would only be enriched by the reintroduction of our storied football rivalry.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma mayors push for Bedlam football return, citing economic impact
