FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' search for a marquee neutral site football game in 2020 led to Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long checking in with an old friend, Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione.
The Tulsa World on Monday reported that Long e-mailed Castiglione on June 24, 2014, inquiring about facing the Sooners in Houston during the 2020 season.
The World published the e-mail, citing its acquisition through an Open Records Act request.
In it, Long asks if Castiglione has entered into an agreement with a Jerry Jones-owned company to sell seats in Oklahoma's premium-seat expansion.
Did you Know?
Jeff Long was an assistant athletics director at Oklahoma the last time the Sooners played the Razorbacks in the 2002 Cotton Bowl.
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Then, Long wrote, "Also, do you have interest in playing the proposed FB game in Houston in I believe in 2020? We would very much like playing OU if it works for you. Just let me know what you are thinking."
Apparently the rest of the discussion was made on the phone or through means other than e-mail, as the World did not post a reply from Castiglione.
Arkansas has marquee games against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas on Sept. 10 and in Fayetteville in 2017. After that, the Razorbacks play away and home against Michigan in 2018 and 2019, then have a single game against Texas at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in 2021 that completes a contract that began with a game at Texas in 2008.
Long has mentioned in media interviews that Arkansas is interested in pursuing a neutral-site game in various venues, such as NRG Stadium in Houston, where the Hogs pummeled Texas 31-7 in the 2014 Texas Bowl, as well as in Kansas City and Orlando.
The Sooners are opening the 2016 season on Sept. 3 against Houston in NRG Stadium.
NRG Stadium is also set to host Baylor vs. Ole Miss in a 2020 season opener that could mean an Arkansas-Oklahoma game that season is not viable.
Oklahoma set up a nonconference game at Army in 2020 and has a three-game series with Tulane scheduled to start in 2017.
Arkansas has not announced any nonconference games for the 2020 season.
Sports on 05/17/2016