TCU last night “formally accepted the invitation to join the Big 12 beginning in July 2012” after the school's 50-member board of trustees “unanimously approved the move," according to Stefan Stevenson of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini and AD Chris Del Conte said that informal talks with interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas “began less than two weeks ago,” but neither “expected last week's call” with the invitation. Neinas, who took over for former Commissioner Dan Beebe three weeks ago, said that there was "'no negativity on my watch' with regard to inviting TCU, even from Texas." Neinas: “We found that TCU ranked very high in terms of value. Fox and ESPN rated TCU very highly." Stevenson notes TCU replaces Texas A&M, which is headed to the SEC next July. TCU had been set to join the Big East next year, and a source said that the school could “likely negotiate down the Big East's $5 million penalty for backing out of the commitment” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/11). In Dallas, Kate Hairopoulos reports TCU will be “phased in before becoming a full member of the league’s newly approved equal revenue sharing agreement.” Neinas and Del Conte “didn’t specify how it would work,” but TCU immediately “will receive a significant financial boost.” When asked if other Texas schools would be considered, Neinas said, “We are not even thinking about further expansion” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/11). In Ft. Worth, Mac Engel cited sources as saying that TCU “will receive … revenue sharing percentages” from the Big 12. For the '12-13 school year, TCU will receive 50%. That will grow to 67% in ’13-14, 84% in ’14-15 and a full share in ’15-16 (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 10/10).
MISSOURI STILL LOOKING SOUTH: In St. Louis, Vahe Gregorian reports despite the Big 12 adding TCU, "all indications remained" that the Univ. of Missouri still sees the conference "as having lost its promise and allure and that it seeks its deliverance” in the SEC. Although “various forces yet could prevent that, the process could be formally initiated within days and finalized within two weeks, possibly as soon as this weekend.” Procedural matters and legal concerns “linger and hover over the timetable and leave the move less than inevitable.” The SEC released a statement yesterday which said that “its presidents and chancellors had conducted their regularly scheduled meeting earlier in the day but did not act.” Gregorian writes, “That doesn’t mean Mizzou wasn’t discussed or even that tentative plans weren’t resolved, just that no specific action was finalized” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/11). The AP has obtained a 45-page document that outlines MU's :pros and cons of leaving the Big 12 Conference for the SEC." The school hopes to get "as much as $12 million each year in additional TV and cable revenue” by moving to the SEC. MU's Board of Curators reviewed the document Oct. 4 (AP, 10/10). Meanwhile, in San Diego, Brent Schrotenboer reports San Diego State Univ. has told Big 12 reps that “it is interested in joining the league if the Big 12 wants to continue adding new members.” SDSU AD Jim Sterk said that “he passed information about SDSU and its television market to several Big 12 officials," including Neinas and league ADs (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/11).
BIG EAST INVASION: In N.Y., Lenn Robbins reports the Big East “has begun the process of inviting schools to bolster its depleted football conference with the goal to get to 12 teams.” In hopes of maintaining its automatic BCS berth, the conference “is poised to invite two programs that were barely on their radar at the start of the year -- Boise State and Temple.” Boise State “has become a recognized brand due to the success of its program," and Temple "suddenly looks very good." Temple would join in all sports, while Boise State “would join in football.” Sources said that the Big East has also “reached out to the three service academies,” and Air Force and Navy are “very interested in joining in football only, but Army does not believe it can be competitive on a weekly basis and will remain independent” (N.Y. POST, 10/11). ESPN.com’s Joe Schad cited sources as saying the Univ. of Central Florida is “being very strongly considered as the first choice for an invitation to the conference.” The sources said that Temple “is also being seriously considered.” Memphis and East Carolina “have been brought up as candidates as well, and Villanova could move up to the FBS level.” However, before anything can be done, the Big East “must be absolutely sure it can hold onto its six remaining members” (ESPN.com, 10/10). USA TODAY’s Jack Carey writes that while no final decisions have been made, Air Force AD Hans Mueh and Navy AD Chet Gladchuk have said that “they have been in discussions” with the Big East (USA TODAY, 10/11). In N.Y. Pete Thamel writes Navy and Air Force are “still the linchpins for the Big East to prop itself back up.” They will “bring television viewers and, perhaps more important, a bid of federal government muscle if the commissioners who run the BCS try to take away the league’s automatic spot” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/11).
OUT OF THE BLUE: In Connecticut, Rich Elliott cites sources as saying that Boise State is "being considered” for the Big East, but it is “not in the mix as much as people think it is” (STAMFORD ADVOCATE, 10/11). But in Boise, Brian Murphy writes “if a football-only move to the Big East makes financial sense,” Boise State football coach Chris Peterson thinks the school "should explore the option.” Peterson said, “What are we talking about here? We’re talking about money. That’s what they’ve got to figure out. Who’s going to be in the league anyway when it’s all said and done? It’s all this if, if, if, if.” He added, “But if the money thing all makes sense -- that’s been the big issue with all this stuff -- then I think you take the next step” (IDAHO STATESMAN, 10/11).
