Cincinnati Enquirer: Inside UC’s bid to join the Big 12
President Santa Ono has led a quiet and diligent effort to position the University of Cincinnati to join the Big 12 Conference, one that’s won high praise from a powerful official who is key to deciding whether the league will expand.
The university released emails, travel records and other documents to The Enquirer last week that give insight into UC’s attempt to join a Power 5 conference – a move that would position the Bearcats among the haves in a growing schism in college athletics rooted in television money and influence.
Big 12 expansion is not imminent, but UC is believed to be on a short list of schools to join a 10-member conference that includes traditional football heavyweights Oklahoma and Texas. Big 12 presidents and chancellors met earlier this month and reportedly discussed expansion, but no decisions were made. They are scheduled to meet again in May, when a decision on adding universities could be made.
“I am indeed optimistic that through these efforts the University of Cincinnati is positioned exceptionally well to continue to compete at the highest level,†Ono told The Enquirer in his first public comments about the efforts to move to the Big 12. …
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