DMN: Five industry sources weigh in on top candidates to join Big 12; ESPN and Fox not thrilled with expansion talks
By Chuck Carlton, Staff Writer
It has been barely two weeks since the Big 12 closed its football media days by signaling it was open for expansion.
Since then, a host of schools, including SMU, have expressed an interest, fan bases have mobilized into social media PR armies and speculation has become a cottage industry. And ESPN and Fox, which may have to pay out about $25 million per new school per year because of a pro rata clause, are reportedly less than enthusiastic regarding their business partner.
Five school and industry sources offered a snapshot of where things stand. And while the Big 12 has a soft target of making a decision and announcement before the season begins the first weekend in September, things may not be decided until shortly before the Big 12’s board of governors meeting in October, they cautioned.
Here’s a quick overview:
Read the rest at http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2016/08/03/houston-cincinnati-among-schools-vying-big-12-bid-espn-fox-thrilled-expansion-talks