Memphis proposing lucrative offer to join Big 12, but it lacks support from conference leadership: Sources

[uconndogs]

B10 likes major metros, like it was said they’ve easily been the smartest and cohesive in expansion. They’d be happy to grab DC, Charlotte/Raleigh, Atlanta and Miami. It’s great for travel for their mobs of alumni, many already in those areas. There is too much growth down there not to hedge against the rust belt.

Maybe......and it's all speculation, but I find it odd that the BiG walked into LA and the key markets in the PNW without any appearant compeition from the SEC. Likewise, the SEC locked in Texas without any appearant competition from the BiG. Presently there is no state overlap between the two conferences and I'ld be willing to bet that continues even as more realignment takes place.

 

[billybud]

I could see UNC swallowing their academic pride and going to the SEC...

The SEC has already added Texas and Oklahoma and adding Clemson/FSU could be counterproductive by overloading the schedules....

UNC would make for decent athletics while not a threat of losses for top SEC teams. The SEC goal might be maximizing opportunities for the number of teams to make the playoff cut.

 

[Waquoit]

Calling B12 fans hillbillies is no way to promote UConn. Just smacks of Northeastern arrogance.

Their politicians call Northeasterners worse names in public. Doesn't seem to bother guys like you.

 

[freescooter]

It was fairly consistent up until they went west to take the LA market, and was mentioned by their commissioner. It breeds rivalries and is an ease on travel. If they stay consistent with their theme, primarily strong academic flagships, UVa, UNC, GA Tech, FSU would all be their next round of targets. It opens up big new markets and major recruiting grounds.

I could see UNC and Virginia maybe. As long shots. But the question remains what do the bring for football? Combined zero ACC championships in the last 30 years. Media partners are going to pay $50 million each for them??? As for FSU and Georgia Tech, the Big is going to want to split revenues with the distant 2nd team in two SEC dominated states? Especially Georgia Tech and Georgia. Seriously? Both the SEC and the BIG 10 have been very careful to not encroach on each other’s turf. The SEC has gone into the southwest and the Big has gone to the west coast. Both have mostly gone after historic football powers, Rutgers and Maryland being the exceptions.

It’s sort of like the old days of the mob. Raymond Patriaca didn’t try to do business in NY and the Gambinos stayed out of New England. Well, except Springfield. Everyone seemed to do business in Springfield.

 

[mike012]

Their politicians call Northeasterners worse names in public. Doesn't seem to bother guys like you.

That’s because we don’t take hillbillies seriously.

 

[Fishy]

Issue is that it's unlikely to stop at 6 as the Big12 has already signed up for bigger is better/safer and they could use some regional partners for the WV/Cincis. They'd likely go after all the large state schools thereafter like NCSt, VaTech. Once that string gets loose, the other three are likely going to pull it until it unravels to blow it up and make it irrelevant, and take contract value with them.

People should not think that the Big 12 will ever be in position to raid the ACC.

It is far more likely that the ACC backfills with the Big 12

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

People should not think that the Big 12 will ever be in position to raid the ACC.

It is far more likely that the ACC backfills with the Big 12

Not necessarily true - if the top 4 to 6 teams leave the ACC, the Big12 will be in the driver's seat.

 

[Fishy]

Not necessarily true - if the top 4 to 6 teams leave the ACC, the Big12 will be in the driver's seat.

They will not.

 

[FightOnCT]

Schools like Memphis should consider deemphasizing sports.

So then what would be the reason for anybody to go to Memphis? It’s certainly not for academics, they are way too far behind for that to actually be compelling.

 

[ZooCougar]

As of mid-2025, the Big 12 has more leverage than the ACC in the ongoing landscape of conference realignment. Here's why:

---

Big 12: Stronger Position​

• Survival & Expansion Success: The Big 12 was expected to collapse after losing Texas and Oklahoma, but it rebounded by adding solid programs (e.g., BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston) and later poached Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah from the Pac-12.
• Aggressive Commissioner: Brett Yormark has taken a bold, media-savvy approach, focusing on market expansion and TV value.
• Media Deal Stability: Their current media rights deal (with ESPN and Fox) runs through 2031, giving them financial and strategic security.
• Poaching Position: They are now in a position to add schools, especially if the ACC weakens. Schools like Louisville, Pitt, or Virginia Tech could be targets.

---

ACC: Weakened and Vulnerable​

• Grant of Rights Agreement (GoR): The ACC’s GoR runs through 2036, but top schools like Florida State, Clemson, and UNC are openly challenging it in court to leave.
• Internal Division: There's a split between revenue-generating “power” schools (FSU, Clemson, Miami) and others. This instability lowers confidence.
• Media Deal Disadvantage: Their ESPN deal is outdated and underpays compared to the SEC and Big Ten, leading to unrest and possible exits.
• Flight Risk: If the GoR is broken, the ACC could unravel quickly, making them more of a target than a predator in realignment.

---

Summary​

Factor	Big 12	ACC
Media Rights Security	Through 2031 (stable)	Through 2036 (challenged)
Membership Stability	United after expansion	Fragmenting, legal disputes
Poaching Power	Can attract from Pac/ACC	Losing top brands (FSU, etc.)
Revenue Inequality	Less severe	Major rift over revenue shares
Commissioner Strategy	Aggressive, market-driven	Reactive, fragmented

---

Verdict:​

Big 12 has more leverage, due to:

• Stable media contracts
• Successful poaching history
• Unified leadership
• Opportunity to grow further at the ACC’s expense

If the ACC fractures, the Big 12 could be a prime landing spot for mid-tier ACC schools not invited to the SEC or Big Ten.

If the ACC does lose schools, which isn't a given since the B1G and SEC have expressed no appetite for further expansion then the Big 12 will be raided by the ACC, starting with West Virginia.

The ACC makes more money and still has more marquee programs that actually generate TV ratings such as Clemson, FSU and Miami.

The Big 12 is basically what the ACC might become if they lose a few institutions. A bunch of leftovers.

 

[ZooCougar]

People should not think that the Big 12 will ever be in position to raid the ACC.

It is far more likely that the ACC backfills with the Big 12

You mean schools don't want to sign up for more travel and less money? It's amazing that this isn't accepted unanimously.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Not necessarily true - if the top 4 to 6 teams leave the ACC, the Big12 will be in the driver's seat.

As always, media decision makers will continue to call the shots and move the chess pieces. Generously, confidently suggesting the nACC or new Big XII is in a driver’s seat is a reach. Bumper cars, perhap/s.

 

[ZooCougar]

Calling B12 fans hillbillies is no way to promote UConn. Just smacks of Northeastern arrogance.

Who cares? After what they said last summer there is nothing to worry about because they aren't going to take us anyways.

 

[Fishy]

You mean schools don't want to sign up for more travel and less money? It's amazing that this isn't accepted unanimously.

People will be shocked when the powers that be consider a conference with the second best programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, etc, is more valuable than a conference with two schools in Utah and Kansas and the second best program in Oklahoma.

It would take one phone call from from the 704 area code to the West Virginia athletic office to start an absolute stampede.

 

[ZooCougar]

People will be shocked when the powers that be consider a conference with the second best programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, etc, is more valuable than a conference with two schools in Utah and Kansas and the second best program in Oklahoma.

It would take one phone call from from the 704 area code to the West Virginia athletic office to start an absolute stampede.

It’s almost like these people have no concept of Manhattan and Ames.

Manhattan is K State, and Army Base and a McDonalds. That’s it.

 

[ZooCougar]

The SEC and B10 have expressed no appetite to further expand prior to all their recent expansions.

You do realize those ACC top football brands want out desperately and have sued the conference, right? Take out Clemson, FSU and Miami and does the ACC have one program that moves the needle even slightly? New contracts are coming in 2030/B12 and 2036/ACC. The current annuals are based more on historical value than future.

Wanting out and getting out are two different things.

Clemson and FSU doesn’t give the SEC anything that they don’t have already. Come on.

 

[superjohn]

Unfortunately the people in Ames are already in the cool kid club and we aren't. They'll fill out their stadium with or without our help. You can conveniently hang at the Rent at 10% capacity, often inflated.

It's going to be real fun when we join the ACC and we are in the hoops semis in Greensborough with Wake & Cuse. Remember those old AAC tourneys and how rockin they were? It was a morgue. I'd expect the exodus laden ACC to look closer to that than what the BE has going on today. Being in a football conference with a bunch of has been's to water down our hoops product doesn't sound like the solution. There would have to be a material revenue uptick to warrant that choice. Or the ACC merges with the current BE and becomes a hybrid league, circling it all back. Now wouldn't that be a riot.

There's nothing cool about the Big 12. That ended when Texas and Oklahoma left. It's a mishmash of schools, only thing keeping it together is that the Big 10 and SEC don't want any of the schools left over.

UConn football capacity % was 67% last season.

 

[KryHavok]

Well, I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with winning national championships. You remember that feeling, right Kobe? Well, actually I guess you wouldn't unless you were born around 1950.

Well now @CL82, I'm shocked you don't recall that his alma mater is apparently living it up and winning big time championships in...let's see here...ah, yes, Dance Team, though they are in a decade long dry spell but a few more NIL deals are all they need to tap dance into success.

 

[Fishy]

It’s almost like these people have no concept of Manhattan and Ames.

Manhattan is K State, and Army Base and a McDonalds. That’s it.

They're still pivoting from the past six months where they insisted that the ACC was on the eve of destruction.

They've haven't had time to consider geography.

 

[baggerbob]

It’s almost like these people have no concept of Manhattan and Ames.

Manhattan is K State, and Army Base and a McDonalds. That’s it.

And In the summer it is hot and humid every day. Was stationed at Ft Riley in Feb 64 to August 30th 64. My ASA Unit 318th battalion was sent back from Germany with the 24th infantry. They put short timers who were getting out that year in our unit.
We would be down in the motor pool and the sweat poured off of you.
Would never go back there again. And tornado warnings all the time. So you got to the point where you just ignored them.

 

[CL82]

Well now @CL82, I'm shocked you don't recall that his alma mater is apparently living it up and winning big time championships in...let's see here...ah, yes, Dance Team, though they are in a decade long dry spell but a few more NIL deals are all they need to tap dance into success.

Ah, well, that would explain why they haven't had a winning season since they joined the big 12. Hopefully they can "tap" into some success.

 

[Fishy]

There's nothing cool about the Big 12. That ended when Texas and Oklahoma left. It's a mishmash of schools, only thing keeping it together is that the Big 10 and SEC don't want any of the schools left over.

UConn football capacity % was 67% last season.

It's an actual mess. They have a great commissioner and they caught lighting by the tail when the P12 collapsed, but never believe that there are not schools there that would bolt eastward if the ACC needed to backfill.

 

[ZooCougar]

And In the summer it is hot and humid every day. Was stationed at Ft Riley in Feb 64 to August 30th 64. My ASA Unit 318th battalion was sent back from Germany with the 24th infantry. They put short timers who were getting out that year in our unit.
We would be down in the motor pool and the sweat poured off of you.
Would never go back there again. And tornado warnings all the time. So you got to the point where you just ignored them.

Riley was supposed to be my first assignment. But I got it changed to Fort Hood. Not much better but Austin was cool and the proximity to lots of bigtime college football was fantastic.

Also the winters are Riley are brutal.

 

[Jetskies]

It's an actual mess. They have a great commissioner and they caught lighting by the tail when the P12 collapsed, but never believe that there are not schools there that would bolt eastward if the ACC needed to backfill.

please elaborate on this. schools go to the more attractive offer.
There is nothing to indicate that a needy ACC that just lost its top brands, would lock in a media deal that $$$peaks enough to the big 12 schools that may defect.

as much of a "mess" as the big 12 may be (which i don't see either but w/e), at the end of the day this is just about money. Where would the money come from to make ANYONE from Big12 go to the ACC...

 

[Fishy]

And In the summer it is hot and humid every day. Was stationed at Ft Riley in Feb 64 to August 30th 64. My ASA Unit 318th battalion was sent back from Germany with the 24th infantry. They put short timers who were getting out that year in our unit.
We would be down in the motor pool and the sweat poured off of you.
Would never go back there again. And tornado warnings all the time. So you got to the point where you just ignored them.

Ames is actually nice - small, but nice.

Manhattan is a place.

Geography kind of went out the window when USC/UCLA/Oregon/UW jumped into a Midwest conference and the ACC ran their highly strategical geographic raid by bringing in Stanford/Cal/SMU.

Least we forget the B12 grabbed Colorado, Utah and both Arizona schools. It also has a pretty nice foothold in FB utopian Texas with it's HQ and schools not named UT with Baylor, Houston, Texas Tech & TCU.

Who knows really, but there is an argument to be made that the B12, which is much more firmly sitting in FB country than the ACC is, is better positioned on the go forward if the SEC/B10 pull what they want out of the ACC. If those two really are content in 2036, which they've never shown to be, then maybe the current valuations hold. I also wouldn't toss the B10 doing what they have to to arm wrestle ND in, which would be combusting the ACC.

Stop.

We’re just a few years removed from the University of Texas and Oklahoma bolting “football utopia” for the southeast - probably because the concept is imaginary.

You guys can wishcast all you want. The Big 12 is the least valuable and most vulnerable power conference by orbits. Having a bunch of third-stringers in Texas isn’t going to save them.