Just when the reports were coming in that the Big 12 was putting expansion talks away for a few years, the tables quickly turned, as it is now being reported that the Big 12 could vote on expansion candidates as early as September.
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Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby says it is "conceivable" that the league could have a vote on specific expansion candidates by September.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) July 19, 2016
With Big 12 expansion looking like it is so close to becoming a reality, many wondered which schools would get the first calls from the conference. According to ESPN's Brett McMurphy, it looks like Cincinnati may be that school.
Spoke w/several sources about Big 12 expansion. Everyone in play. Best quote: “Cincinnati leader in clubhouse but we don’t have a clubhouse"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 19, 2016
Reports are that the Big 12 is seeking two to four teams for expansion, and the Bearcats would make sense as the top candidate. They have established football and basketball programs, and they would be one of the best options for the conference to expand its media footprint.
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Other potential options for the Big 12 include Houston, Memphis, Central Florida, and BYU, among others.
The reason behind the sudden vote for expansion appears to be the media deal that the ACC recently agree to with ESPN.
David Boren says ACC Network hasn't affected possibility of Big 12 Network as much as it has more active role in expansion.
— Brian Brinkley (@BrianBrinkleyOK) July 19, 2016
The deal will launch an ACC-dedicated television network, and it extends ESPN's rights deal with the conference to 2036. Though the Big 12 no longer needs 12 teams to host a conference title game, it is clear they want to get to at least that number so they can try to score a big media deal.
