Menu
Colleges

AAC On Guard For Possible Conference Losses As Big 12 Ponders League Expansion

The Big 12 presidents in the coming weeks will consider "whether the league should expand, leaving the American Athletic Conference on guard for the possibility of one or more defections," according to Ralph Russo of the AP. AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco said, "We always have plans for contingencies that might arise. It's no secret that there could be more realignment. We discuss this a bit with our membership, but mainly to focus on the cohesion of the conference. We ask people to respect the membership." Russo noted there are "no obvious matches" for the Big 12 if it "does decide to expand, but most of the best candidates reside" in the AAC. Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, SMU, USF, UCF and UConn "can all claim to bring either new TV markets or growing athletic programs -- or both -- to the Big 12." While officials at all those schools are "diligent about publicly pledging allegiance" to the AAC, "behind the scenes they are positioning for a promotion to the Power Five." Aresco "declined to say whether members have been forthcoming about efforts to leave" the AAC. Aresco: "You always pay attention to things, you're always alert. You always have the notion of what you might or might not do. But there's no reason for us to dwell on it" (AP, 5/3). In Dallas, Chuck Carlton notes Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby "has been careful to avoid giving his opinion" on potential expansion. But Bowlsby said, "I don't consider there to be any expansion candidates." He added, "If they ask me, 'Should we let this linger on another six months,' I'll say definitely no. We need to move ahead and make decisions. I just think we need to move ahead expediently" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/4). 

AMERICAN EXPRESS? In Houston, Joseph Duarte writes Houston AD Hunter Yurachek in terms of the next round of conference realignment is "careful to walk a fine line between UH's membership" in the AAC and "desire to be part of the Power Five." Yurachek: "I do believe in the American Athletic Conference. We did have a very good football season." Yurachek said that the "biggest hurdle the AAC faces is negotiating a more lucrative television contract." The league in '13 signed a seven-year, $126M deal with ESPN and CBS Sports that runs through '19-20. Yurachek: "When that comes back up, it's very important that as a conference we continue that success so we can look at a much more lucrative television deal" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/4). In Memphis, Geoff Calkins in a front-page piece writes the "moment may have arrived" for Memphis to "make its final pitch to gain invitation to the Big 12." If UM President David Rudd and his allies "are successful, it will guarantee the future of Memphis athletics, elevate the profile of the broader university, and bring new vitality and investment to the entire community" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 5/4). In Oklahoma, John Klein writes Tulsa's position in the AAC "would appear to be secure and the AAC, considered the strongest" of the non-Power Five leagues, "would not be crippled if the Big 12 raided" the conference for one or two teams. But it "could force" the AAC to "move on expansion unless the league is willing to operate with fewer than 12 football members" (TULSA WORLD, 5/4).

WELCOME TO WICHITA: CBSSPORTS.com's Dennis Dodd cited sources as saying that Wichita State officials "have approached the Mountain West Conference about membership." Led by Wichita State President John Bardo, the school "has been exploring its conference options in basketball and football," though WSU does not have a football program. Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said that he "did not have direct contact with Bardo or Wichita State officials." He added that if Wichita State "plans to park its basketball program in a new conference, 'It ain't going to be us.'" A source said that it is "a simple case of economics," as the MWC "would be splitting its media rights revenue 12 ways instead of 11 in basketball if it added" Wichita State. Another source "considered it unlikely that Mountain West's media rights holders (ESPN, CBS Sports Network) would renegotiate their current contracts to include additional revenue for a 12th basketball school" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/3). In Wichita, Paul Suellentrop writes since there was "never evidence the MWC was open to adding a non-football school," Thompson's response "shouldn't come as a surprise." While 11 is an "awkward number for basketball scheduling, there is little reason for schools such as San Diego State or Nevada to consider Wichita State as an addition over a better geographic fit that also plays football" (WICHITA EAGLE, 5/4).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/05/04/Colleges/Big-12-American.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/05/04/Colleges/Big-12-American.aspx

CLOSE