Absolutely, opting out of this contract removes Texas from the equation. I don't think anyone has questioned that, which is why I took your comment to apply to the extension discussion, because that is the only way Texas' money is involved. Apologies for the assumption, but I didn't think you were arbitrarily throwing that out there.
I think a700 has it right. The Texas money gives them a good amount of leverage and will enable them to go beyond the market in an extension. If it's only about money, he's staying in NY. If anything else is going to impact the decision, he's opting out, IMO.