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Message: [QUOTE="jostar1, post: 1749128, member: 1737"] Bobby La Gesse ‏@BobbyLaGesse · 3h3 hours ago ISU President Steven Leath on Big 12 expansion, potentially adding Hosuton and his desire for 'prestige' programs [URL="http://amestrib.com/sports/football-isu-leath-give-houston-fair-shake-expansion-after-prestige-programs"]Football: ISU, Leath to give Houston ‘fair shake’ in expansion, after ‘prestige’ programs[/URL] Iowa State President Steven Leath wouldn’t go as far as endorsing the Cougars, but is interested in the university as an expansion target. “They certainly have a lot of factors we are interested in,” Leath told the Ames Tribune on Friday. “I feel a lot of the (Big 12) presidents feel the league is Texas-heavy already, which helps with the Texas schools, but it’s a little problematic for the rest of us to go from the very northern part of the league like us to the very southern part of the league. “All I can say on that is they will get a fair shake. We will take a good serious look at it if they continue to express interest.” Leath didn’t publicly support Houston or any potential Big 12 expansion target on Friday, but did say that an ideal candidate would bring a good fan base, a strong academic reputation and potentially a TV market the league isn’t in yet. “You also want one with a history of running good, clean programs that an add prestige to a league,” Leath said. Location in relation to the rest of the league is an issue Leath believes the Big 12 must consider when looking at expansion targets. “We do have to look a little it at geography,” Leath said. “If you put two or four different schools that are wildly different geographically and it’s very difficult on our student-athletes and specifically raises the cost.” [B]Extending the league’s grant of rights, which runs through 2024-25, is something that will be discussed if the league expands, Leath said.[/B] [/QUOTE]

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