What's Happening?
The University of Memphis has made an unprecedented proposal to join the Big 12 Conference, offering significant concessions to gain membership. Despite these efforts, the Big 12 athletic directors have decided not to include Memphis in the conference. Memphis proposed to forego any media rights revenue from the Big 12 for at least five years, similar to a deal made by SMU with the ACC. Additionally, Memphis was willing to allow the Big 12 to remove them from the conference before the next TV deal if they were not adding enough value. The current media rights agreements with ESPN and Fox are set to expire in 2031. Memphis, currently part of the American Conference, aimed to achieve power conference status and has also explored football-only membership with the Pac-12, contingent on joining the Big East for other sports.
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Why It's Important?
The rejection of Memphis' proposal by the Big 12 highlights the competitive nature of college sports conferences and the strategic maneuvers schools are willing to make to gain power conference status. This decision impacts Memphis' aspirations to elevate its athletic programs and gain access to the financial and competitive benefits associated with being part of a major conference. The move also reflects the broader landscape of college sports, where media rights and conference alignments are crucial for financial stability and growth. Schools like Memphis may face challenges in securing a position in a power conference, affecting their long-term athletic and financial strategies.
What's Next?
Memphis may continue to seek alternative pathways to join a power conference, potentially revisiting discussions with other conferences like the Pac-12 or exploring new strategies to enhance its appeal. The Big 12's decision could prompt Memphis to reassess its approach and consider other options for conference alignment. Additionally, the broader college sports landscape may see further realignment as schools and conferences navigate media rights deals and competitive positioning. Stakeholders, including university administrators and athletic directors, will likely continue to monitor and adapt to these developments.
