Pac-12 Announces It Won’t Expand

By Tim Taliaferro in Blog on September 21, 2011 at 8:03 am | No Comments

The Texas Longhorns may not yet know what conference they will play in next year, but they now know at least where they won’t—the Pac-12.

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott announced last night that his conference will not be expanding, contrary to report after report suggesting otherwise (except this one).

“After careful review we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes, and fans to remain a 12-team conference,” Scott said in a statement. “While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve. With new landmark TV agreements and plans to launch our innovative television networks, we are going to focus solely on these great assets, our strong heritage and the bright future in front of us.”

OU president David Boren said after the announcement that he was not surprised by it, and that Oklahoma had decided to hold off on applying to the Pac-12 at least a year.

“Stability has been our first goal and we look forward to achieving that goal through continued membership in the Big 12 Conference,” Boren said.

Texas and Oklahoma officials will be meeting in the next few days to try and ink a deal to keep the Big 12 alive at least another five years, the Associated Press reports.