Memphis must really not like the change the American Conference made on Monday.
The school has reportedly offered the Big 12 $200 million to join the conference, according to multiple sources. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Delleger was the first to report the news.
“In the most lucrative membership proposal in college sports history, Memphis has made a $200 million offer to enter the Big 12, sources tell @YahooSports. For now, it does not have enough support but potentially sets a standard for all future expansion.”
In the most lucrative membership proposal in college sports history, Memphis has made a $200 million offer to enter the Big 12, sources tell @YahooSports.
For now, it does not have enough support but potentially sets a standard for all future expansion.https://t.co/MefkD9du7B
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 21, 2025
Dellenger and other reports indicate the Big 12 is not interested in adding Memphis.
NEW: The Big 12 is “not interested” in adding Memphis, @Brett_McMurphy reports❌ https://t.co/apxV7lSr3B pic.twitter.com/ub3ZNZXzaC
— On3 (@On3sports) July 21, 2025
On Monday, the American Conference announced the change from the American Athletic Conference. All joking aside, Memphis wasn’t spurned to make the move due to this decision. The school has always been recognized as the one that, if it left the conference, would start a vast exit of other team members.
Back in June, the Sun Belt expressed interest in ECU leaving the American and joining their group of schools. That idea quickly faded away.
Dellenger wrote, “This particular effort began more than a year ago. Memphis president Bill Hardgrave has spent at least 14 months visiting with the presidents and top athletic administrators of many Big 12 schools in individual, on-campus meetings that have culminated in a membership offer to the league that is expected to be as high as $200 million over the next five years.”
Memphis has a lot of interest from conferences but a possible move may still be a year or two out. Dellenger reported Memphis has gotten a big number of donations to cover costs, making them feel like the time to change conferences may be now or very soon.
Dellenger posted on X in part, “Memphis has increased its investment significantly over the years, with financial help from leading school sponsors like FedEx and Lowe’s. With a massive gift from FedEx coming, the school believes it will reach the full $20.5M in rev-share with its athletes by next year.”
Memphis has increased its investment significantly over the years, with financial help from leading school sponsors like FedEx and Lowe’s.
With a massive gift from FedEx coming, the school believes it will reach the full $20.5M in rev-share with its athletes by next year.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 21, 2025
For now, we’ll just have to see what happens and see if it leads to a lot of changes within the American.
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