Big 12 Conference Not to Expand

Posted 10/17/16, 4:52 PM CST

DALLAS (AM News Net)  –  Sources inside the Big 12 Conference have reportedly told the Associated Press that the Big 12 Conference will decide not to expand.

Two people who have heard the briefing informed AP on condition of anonymity, for the decision was meant to be revealed publicly. The decision appeared to be reached after a six-hour discussion.

Conference officials have considered expanding as a way to increase profits.

FOX Sports President Eric Shanks has expressed concern in the past over the idea of expanding. This month at a Sports Media and Technology conference, Shanks said it will harm the conference in the long term.

"We don't think expansion in the Big 12 is a good idea for the conference," Shanks said. "We think it will be dilutive [sic] to the product in the short term. In the long term, it's probably harmful to the future of the conference."

The Big 12 asked for $25 million for each new member so the new schools could make the same as the current members, but paying an extra $50 million is not particularly attractive to the TV networks. Even some schools who joined in 2012, such as TCU, did not receive full payment until just this year.

The full article from the Associated Press can be read here.

AM News Net regularly covers the Big 12 as well. More college sports news can be found here.

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