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http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca.../83881902/

As Big 12 ponders expansion, American on guard for losses
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/big-12-pond...m=facebook

The first link is behind a pay wall, but the administration there would be doing a disservice if they didn't at least try. Same goes for a lot of the other schools in the conference. Memphis, despite the loss of the coach, are really serious about their intentions for football. That plus the work they put in on basketball already makes them poised to take the next step up.

The only real cons is that they wouldn't be following the model set by the likes of Louisville and TCU, and that their stock isn't quite as high as some of their peers in the conference. I think Cincinnati is the most popular choice in most scenarios with Houston being slightly ahead of Memphis. I believe they're ahead of the Florida schools, though.

I think BYU gets serious consideration. The BYU name has a bigger, better cachet than any AAC member. They've (Big12) been able to navigate around Texas and their network. They should be able to do the same with BYU. But are they willing add another team that impacts the money of the other members? I mean, Texas is a special case...

Memphis has Fedex behind them in full. That will count for a lot. the word is that they have Oklahoma in their corner as well. It was reported today that if they get in, they would not get any of the big money for three to five years. Apparently any newcomers don't get to share in the riches immediately.

(05-03-2016 07:00 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  The first link is behind a pay wall, but the administration there would be doing a disservice if they didn't at least try. Same goes for a lot of the other schools in the conference. Memphis, despite the loss of the coach, are really serious about their intentions for football. That plus the work they put in on basketball already makes them poised to take the next step up.

The only real cons is that they wouldn't be following the model set by the likes of Louisville and TCU, and that their stock isn't quite as high as some of their peers in the conference. I think Cincinnati is the most popular choice in most scenarios with Houston being slightly ahead of Memphis. I believe they're ahead of the Florida schools, though.

University of Memphis President M. David Rudd sent a promotional publication — highlighting the finer points of the city and its major university — to University of Texas president Dr. Gregory Fenves in December, showcasing the University of Memphis as a possible Big 12 expansion candidate.

Rudd said the publication, entitled "Memphis Soul of a City," captures “the passion and proud history of Tiger athletics including a historic run by our football program.”

Rudd also told Fenves he would “welcome the chance to connect via phone and discuss in more depth some of the great things going on in Memphis.”

Memphis is among several schools seeking a move to a more-lucrative Power Five conference and the Big 12 may be considering two additional programs to get to 12.

Memphis, Cincinnati, Central Florida, UConn and Houston from the American Athletic Conference are among the schools reportedly lobbying for Big 12 inclusion, along with BYU.


Navigate Research, a Chicago-based analytics firm, was hired by the Big 12 and commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced the findings this week. Navigate Research concluded adding two teams would increase the league’s chances of being in the four-team College Football Playoff by “4-5 percent.”

The Memphis publication highlights the city’s top Fortune 500 companies, its overall attributes and the U of M’s attributes, including its recent athletic accomplishments, particularly the turnaround by the football program. Tiger football has gone 19-7 the past two seasons.

Puke. I'd rather see Houston and Rice rejoin to form SWC 2.0.

And as for Mempiss joining the league, if it does what it did to TCU basketball, I'm all for the move.

I hear that the Big 12 is thinking of not just going from ten to twelve, but straight on to sixteen soon. IF that happens all hell is going to break loose. Timing would be very bad for us.

(05-03-2016 10:34 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I hear that the Big 12 is thinking of not just going from ten to twelve, but straight on to sixteen soon. IF that happens all hell is going to break loose. Timing would be very bad for us.

Yes because of our football reboot, we need this to not unfold for another 2-3 years. Thanks Ray

Shut up. Ray loves UAB more than you!!!! ;-)

Big Twelve rules require eight of ten votes to do this expansion. They are currently at seven, with Texas, Texas Tech, and TCU against. That's basically Texas pulling the others along, but it only takes one more vote. Very well could happen.

(05-03-2016 11:49 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Big Twelve rules require eight of ten votes to do this expansion. They are currently at seven, with Texas, Texas Tech, and TCU against. That's basically Texas pulling the others along, but it only takes one more vote. Very well could happen.

Where are you seeing this?

If the Big 12 is thinking of adding another Texas school, Houston would appear to have an inside track. If not a Texas school, then Memphis would be good. A second school to add would favor Cinncy rather than BYU. Going beyond 12 would really stir the pot for 3rd and 4th choices, bringing BYU back into the mix along with Houston and UCF. The Orlando area (I-4 corridor) is second only to Hawai'i as a tourist destination and has a well regarded TV market.

I predict mass chaos again. Bad timing for us but you never know. At least the foundation has vision even if our athletic department administration does not.

We very well may be in an FBS conference with Liberty and James Madison in 5 years.

If Ingram and watts have their way we will be in the sun belt in five years. If Clark and the foundation has their way we will be in the AAC in three or less after we return.

(05-04-2016 09:26 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  If Ingram and watts have their way we will be in the sun belt in five years. If Clark and the foundation has their way we will be in the AAC in three or less after we return.

I suspect neither groups will get their way.

I suspect Clark and the foundation have a much greater chance in getting their way. ;-).

(05-05-2016 06:30 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  I suspect Clark and the foundation have a much greater chance in getting their way. ;-).

I'm hoping you're right. I don't get how Watts can't see the upside. Better conference > better schools > better crowds > more fans > more $$$
Stay where we're at

And I understand UAB is more than its athletics department, but you can't denie when kids see a school on TV more, it perks interest that wasn't there before.

http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/...m=facebook

Where does that leave the Big 12? We don’t know. Common sense suggests adding from the list of schools above won’t convince network partners to raise the per-school amount they pay.* This is a lousy time to negotiate a TV deal, because cable networks have no idea what their future holds. This is why they are paying top dollar for can’t-miss rights and very little for the rights of leagues and events that have limited fanbases.

Documents show Big 12 flirting with Houston, Memphis, others
http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-expansion

FedEx offering big sponsor $ (including for a Big 12 title game) if Memphis gets an invite