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NCAA Rumors: Big 12 to put expansion, TV network talks on hold

By Jason Parker

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Big 12 logo on the field after the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Big 12 logo on the field after the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Big 12 Conference will put all talks of possible expansion and a TV network for the entire league on hold at their meeting this coming week.

For what seems like an eternity now (when it actually has only been a few years), college football fans have been barking for the Big 12 to finally add two teams to the conference so that they can a) have a football championship game and b) have the actual number of teams that are in the conference’s name.

While the Big 12 had been operating with 10 members for five seasons now, the league doesn’t seem to have a problem with it and apparently doesn’t believe it’s that big a deal. According to Chip Brown from Horns Digest, any talks of possible expansion (as well as a TV network for the entire conference) aren’t going to take place when leaders of the member schools meet near Dallas:

"Expansion is not happening and neither is a Big 12 network – not this year, multiple sources across the Big 12 as well as TV industry sources told HornsDigest.com.The bottom line is there is no consensus on any non-Power Five candidates to add.And the league’s primary TV partners – ESPN and Fox – aren’t exactly knocking down doors right now to start a conference network with the current 10 schools, the sources told HD."

In recent months, talks have heated up about what two teams would be the best options for the Big 12 if they expanded. Football programs like the BYU Cougars have been mentioned as have schools in states like Ohio and Florida (USF, UCF and Cincinnati), while Memphis reportedly as recruited FedEx (based in the city) and their money to help get them in.

As for a TV network (similar to what the SEC, Pac 12 and Big Ten have), it is reported that the Longhorn Network, a partnership between the Texas Longhorns and ESPN, would have to cease operation for it to work. You can imagine that the men in burnt orange aren’t to fond of that idea.

For more NCAA football news, check out our NCAA football hub page.

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