Report: Memphis willing to spend $500 million on upgrades to join Big 12
Of all the candidates jockeying to join the Big 12 if the conference does indeed decide to expand, it’s hard to imagine any school putting forth a better proposal than Memphis has reportedly done.
According to documents obtained by Jake Trotter of ESPN, Memphis president David Rudd has pledged to spend $500 million on academic and facility upgrades over a five-year span if his university was chosen as a partner in an expanded Big 12 conference. In addition to that massive number, FedEx chairman Fred Smith is prepared to have his Memphis-based company sponsor the Big 12 Football Championship Game – in the event of its creation – as well as the basketball championship.
In a letter Smith wrote to help Memphis’ bid, it’s clear FedEx is offering strong support to help push Memphis into a Power 5 conference:
“We strongly support the university’s efforts to become a member of an expanded Big 12 athletic conference.
“We believe the University of Memphis and the Big 12 are a great fit and hope our support will contribute to the University of Memphis becoming a member of this storied athletic conference in the near future.”
Aside from Memphis, the article states that Houston, Colorado State and Central Florida are all stating their case for entrance into the Big 12 Conference, as well. The presidents and athletic directors from the Big 12 are scheduled to meet May 31 in Texas to further discuss the league’s options in regards to expansion moving forward.
One thing is for sure, if Memphis gets into the Big 12, the school will certainly have FedEx to thank.
tiger high wants to be in the b12. Should shoot for the SEC the way they beat up ole mi$$.
You jest, but wouldn’t you rather have them than MO or aTm:-)
No, why what would Memphis do for the SEC? Just because State and the Rebs recruit Memphis? No SEC Network without A&M and Mizzou
I don’t understand the no network without aTm/Mizzou comment. Why? You’re saying if we had gotten clemson for the east instead of mizzou, or FSU, we wouldn’t have a network?
Definitly mizzou i personally baliete if you are in the southeastern conference you should be from a southeastern state while i understand texas isnt the southeast it is at least a southern state not a midwestern state.
Still smarting from the 30 runs in 3 games we put on your baseball team? Where’s thunder and lightning ?
Nice volley.
You guys beat us once in 4 years and now we don’t belong? Smh Rude much? haha
I actually thought aTm made sense, MO, though, that’s another thing. I still think yall are out of place IN football, but at least the Aggies are making some strides, unlike some folks. When you look the histories of all the programs, it makes a lot of sense, but you have to admit yall are still a little BIG twelvey at times on the gridiron. BUT as Memphis grows, it really would be better for us old SEC fans, though there really is no reason for the SEC to want them. Besides, I have to admit aTm has an SEC caliber baseball program.
Last game between OM and Tn ended with the Vols getting the sh-t beat out of them if I remember correctly
But could they do it with a team they didnt pay for? History says no.
Arkansas can! Bawhahaha!!!!
Man, nothing about this sounds good for Tennessee. If Memphis new coach is a good fit and they continue to progress eventually they will steal more recruits from our state than ole miss already does. I would like to drop one of our cupcake nonconference games and start a rivalry with them though. We already have 23 games with them from before. At least like every other year or something like that.
And if they go big 12 that would give tennessee the power give opponent.
Haha! You need to play MEMPHIS State to stay relevant?!! Tearing it down…. Brick by brick!! Hahaha
The University of Memphis, was at one point ranked #13 in the country last year. Which is higher than the hogs got last year. Why throw stones in a glass house bubba?
Considering Memphis owns the Hogs 3-2, you might wanna just not do that.
I can see this now, Memphis starts throwing cash around and the Longhorns start picking it up off the ground.
Unlike Mizzou and the Aggies, Memphis is willing to be a house boy for Texas.
Man I wanna hear more about the Alaska Nanooks, and the Montana State Bobcats joining the SOUTH EASTERN Conference!!! When did conferences stop being a regional thing? I think that’s why the SEC has more confrence pride.
Except mizzou is a midwestern team.
Honestly when I think of the Southeast I think of the states that formed the confederacy. And Missouri was member of that. If we grab up anymore teams I think it should be a Virginia and North Carolina team.
Valid Point Keith.. Makes you cringe at the fact that schools like Creighton plays Big East Basketball and Syracuse – ACC and Rutgers – B1G…
Memphis to the SEC wouldn’t be a bad idea..I’d rather see them in the SEC than Big 12 minus 2.
Dont expect the SEC to sit around if expansion begins again. Go after the Oklahoma schools to start.
Oklahoma was withing a stroke of the pen from heading to the PAC 12 (PAC 10 back then). The Big 12 minus 2 will crumble if Oklahoma left. They took a beating when Colorado and Nebraska left.. One of the best rivalry games there was besides the Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl, Mich – OSU, etc etc.. They leave and there goes the Red River Rivalry..
Plus that would fall into the arguement of demographics..But swapping them for A&M would be a great for everyone.
Why? Aggies bring the tv’s from the whole state
No one besides the residents of Texas watch the Longhorn Network.. And that Baylor and TCU have taken over that Lonestar state, don’t expect too many around the borders to be tuning in..