BYU AD Tom Holmoe yesterday said that he is "not bitter or resentful" about how the Big 12's expansion process unfolded, according to Jay Drew of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. Holmoe yesterday said he was "disappointed and frustrated for two or three days" after Big 12 leaders opted against expansion in October. Holmoe said BYU, which was reportedly a candidate for Big 12 expansion, is still in a "good spot" as a football independent and a member of the West Coast Conference in most of its other sports. Holmoe added BYU officials believed Big 12 expansion "was really close" to happening. Holmoe: "We thought we had a really good chance." He acknowledged there was "considerable pushback from LGBTQ groups concerned with language in BYU's Honor Code" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/2). Holmoe said he does not feel like the Big 12 "led us on." Holmoe: "I may be wrong, but I feel that they really wanted to do this. ... They made a business decision to stop and not do it. I don't think they mislead us but they changed direction. ... We always would love to be a part of a P5. But it didn't happen for a number of reasons" (DESERET NEWS, 3/2).
BREAKING IT DOWN: BYU is in the seventh year of an eight-year agreement with ESPN to televise its home football games, and Holmoe "called that relationship strong and beneficial for both sides." He said that it is "probably about time to start talking again about a contract extension with ESPN." Holmoe said that BYU does "not have a bowl agreement in place" for the '17 season, but is "working with ESPN with the belief that the network, which owns multiple bowls, will find a place for the Cougars if they get bowl eligible." The SALT LAKE TRIBUNE's Drew notes Holmoe also acknowledged the "growing financial disparity" between Power Five schools and those such as BYU. However, he said BYU's major donors have "stepped up big-time" to close that gap in the last six months (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/2).
