The Univ. of Missouri is "heading down a path to join" the SEC, according to a university source cited by Pete Thamel of the N.Y. TIMES. The source indicated that MU's decision "to apply for membership to the SEC was 'inevitable and imminent,' although a specific timeframe has yet to be set." MU’s Board of Curators will meet Thursday and Friday at the Univ. of Missouri-K.C., "where the process of withdrawing from the Big 12 and applying to the SEC is expected to begin." The source said that after applying, MU expects "'no problems' with gathering enough votes among SEC presidents for it to become a member." Although interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas said last week that he "expected Missouri to play in the Big 12 still in 2012," it is possible that the school "could start play in the SEC as early as next year." It is expected that the SEC presidents "will tie the same caveat about legal entanglements to Missouri’s application that they did to Texas A&M’s." Meanwhile, if MU leaves the Big 12, the conference would be left with nine member schools, "meaning a likely expansion of one or three universities, prompting more uncertainty and shuffling on the collegiate landscape" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/18).
UNANIMOUS VERDICT: CBSSPORTS.com's Brett McMurphy cited sources as saying that the Big East's presidents and chancellors "voted unanimously Monday night to increase the league’s exit fee to $10 million, but the increased fee is contingent on Navy and Air Force joining the league as football only members." The increase in exit fees from $5M to $10M is "expected to increase the probability of adding Navy and Air Force as football-only members." Both schools are "receptive to joining the Big East, but wanted a bigger financial commitment from" the conference's remaining members. MU's impending departure from the Big 12 "would have a significant impact" on the Big East, specifically on Louisville and West Virginia. Sources indicated that both those schools "are prime candidates to receive a Big 12 invitation if Missouri left." However, all of the Big East’s 14 members "still voted unanimously for the increased exit fee Monday night." In addition to Navy and Air Force, the Big East also has "had conversations with Boise State about becoming a football-only member and with UCF about joining as an all sports member." The league is also "targeting Houston and SMU as potential all-sports members to get to 12 football members" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/17). In Houston, Sam Khan Jr. reports the Big East "extended an invitation to UH on Monday evening." UH Chancellor Renu Khator and AD Mack Rhoades "will head to New York later this week to meet with Big East officials" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/18).
