According to multiple reports, the University of Memphis attempted to buy its way into the Big 12, and the conference swiftly and coldly rejected the offer.
The deal, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, involved the Tigers forking over $250 million upfront, receiving no media revenue for the next five years and giving up to $3 million in sponsorships to the conference. In addition, Memphis even offered to be subject to expulsion from the Big 12 if the conference deemed them as not providing enough value by 2030-31.
Brett McMurphy of ON3 reported that the Big 12 was “not interested” in the deal because the proposal “lacks support.”
In a statement, the University of Memphis said that it is “aware of the recent conversations regarding our potential inclusion in the Big 12,” adding that “while those discussions did not ultimately move in our favor, our University and Memphis Athletics are stronger than ever, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our position nationally.”
This comes after the Tigers have been the eternal bridesmaid in recent conference realignment this decade, missing the Big 12 boat in 2021, when the conference favored former American Conference members Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF. They also had to watch as SMU made a move to the ACC that had very similar provisions as Memphis’ reported plan to the Big 12.
While they’ve also been in conversations with the Pac-12 and the Big East, their quest to find a home outside of the newly rebranded American Conference has not resulted in any moves.
