Big 12 Mulling its Options in Irving

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas — Big 12 athletic directors spent several hours Monday discussing the pros and cons of maintaining their 10-team configuration or eventually making additions to the conference — or maybe doing something in between.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says the current setup is financially beneficial for each school, but he wanted to run through “what-if” scenarios.

Among the possibilities they discussed was a possible alliance with other conferences. Bowlsby says there was unanimity for that approach that allows some of the benefits and value of expansion without actually adding members.

The ADs plan to discuss football scheduling and bowl alliances when they wrap up their regular scheduled two-day meeting Tuesday.

KEVIN LONNQUIST’S TAKE:

Bowlsby didn’t say too much to reporters to where he would be tipping his hand. There could be an alliance with the Atlantic Coast Conference, which could really be weakened if more schools (Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia) were to leave for potentially the Big Ten. While internet rumors about conference movement and realignment run wild, there appears to be more posturing than anything else. We may be still a little too early on this. The huge TV deal is going to keep going up yearly and create such a revenue windfall, that no school wants to have its share severely compromised.While most Big 12 supporters are nervous about the conference’s position, this is a case where Bowlsby is possibly playing poker and being more deliberate — along with the membership — that whatever move is made will strengthen and not just add for the sake of adding.