Big 12 Board Unanimously Approves Expansion Exploration

<p>In a media conference call following the Big 12 Board meeting, OU president David Boren said the conference unanimously approved moving ahead with expansion exploration.&nbsp;</p>

Tuesday, July 19th 2016, 6:57 pm

By: Brett Coppenbarger


It looks like the Big 12 is considering expansion after all. In a media conference call following the Big 12 Board meeting, OU president David Boren said the conference unanimously approved moving ahead with expansion exploration.

Now Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby can actively search for schools that he believes will be deserving of joining the conference. It shouldn't be too hard, seeing the news of possible expansion comes after a number of schools contacted the Big 12 about joining the conference.

Not only is the conference considering the addition of two schools, but the possibility of adding four schools exists as well. Boren said that the conference would examine factors such as fan base, academic reputation and institutional integrity in deciding which schools would potentially join.

If the Big 12 conference does indeed expand, Bowlsby said it wouldn’t happen until 2017-18 season, and the topic will likely be revisited at the October board meeting.  

This big news comes as a bit of a surprise, seeing it was expected the Big 12 would officially table all expansion talks after their meeting.
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Bowlsby: "This was an all-day session where our board really engaged. It's not easy to get 10 chancellors/presidents to stay focused."

— John E. Hoover (@johnehoover) July 19, 2016

Crazy Big 12 Media Day. The final interviews ended -then news on possible expansion?Clearly tied & reaction to & ACC Network deal. @news9

— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) July 19, 2016

Now Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby can actively search for schools that he believes will be deserving of joining the conference. It shouldn't be too hard, seeing the news of possible expansion comes after a number of schools contacted the Big 12 about joining the conference.

Boren: Bowlsby to "recontact those schools who have expressed interest in us, find out nature of interest, what proposals they might make."

— John E. Hoover (@johnehoover) July 19, 2016

Not only is the conference considering the addition of two schools, but the possibility of adding four schools exists as well. Boren said that the conference would examine factors such as fan base, academic reputation and institutional integrity in deciding which schools would potentially join.

Boren: Bowlsby to "recontact those schools who have expressed interest in us, find out nature of interest, what proposals they might make."

— John E. Hoover (@johnehoover) July 19, 2016

Boren indicates schools that aren't exactly ND & #Bama could be added ( I.e USF, UCF) Others: Cincy/BYU/Boise/BYU/Mem/Hou/UConn/CSU. @news9

— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) July 19, 2016

Bowlsby: “We’re looking for members that will grow over time as we grow and bring stability and have a high top end."

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 19, 2016

Boren: "We're looking at schools that have not only arrived completely, but have huge potential."

— News 9 Sports (@News9Sport) July 19, 2016

If the Big 12 conference does indeed expand, Bowlsby said it wouldn’t happen until 2017-18 season, and the topic will likely be revisited at the October board meeting.  

Bowlsby: "It's possible this could extend to our Oct. board meeting, possible we could have special meeting before then."

— John E. Hoover (@johnehoover) July 19, 2016

This big news comes as a bit of a surprise, seeing it was expected the Big 12 would officially table all expansion talks after their meeting.

Remarkable: In 1 meeting, Big 12 has gone from multiple officials saying expansion would be tabled to all but saying expansion is coming.

— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) July 19, 2016

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In a media conference call following the Big 12 Board meeting, OU president David Boren said the conference unanimously approved moving ahead with expansion exploration. 

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