LAS VEGAS — The Pac-12 Conference CEO Group voted to approve “further exploration” of four universities for possible conference expansion, I have learned.
SMU and San Diego State are in the quartet, according to one of the conference presidents. Colorado State may also be among the candidates. I’m still working to confirm that and the fourth school.
What else I know:
• This does not mean the Pac-12 will definitely add four schools via expansion. It just means that the board gave the “green light” to kick the tires on four possible additions. The Pac-12 CEO Group will ultimately vote to add zero, one, two, three or four new members.
No, I don’t expect Colorado to leave the Pac-12. Athletic director Rick George is on record on that front.
• UNLV is not among the expansion candidates, a university source confirmed on Friday. The academic profile of the university apparently does not fit the objectives of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors.
• Fresno State and Boise State are unlikely to be Pac-12 expansion candidates as well. Sources at both schools have told me they’ve had only limited contact with the conference in recent months. They’re better potential fits for the Big 12.
SMU and San Diego State are in the quartet, according to one of the conference presidents. Colorado State may also be among the candidates. I’m still working to confirm that and the fourth school.
What else I know:
• This does not mean the Pac-12 will definitely add four schools via expansion. It just means that the board gave the “green light” to kick the tires on four possible additions. The Pac-12 CEO Group will ultimately vote to add zero, one, two, three or four new members.
No, I don’t expect Colorado to leave the Pac-12. Athletic director Rick George is on record on that front.
• UNLV is not among the expansion candidates, a university source confirmed on Friday. The academic profile of the university apparently does not fit the objectives of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors.
• Fresno State and Boise State are unlikely to be Pac-12 expansion candidates as well. Sources at both schools have told me they’ve had only limited contact with the conference in recent months. They’re better potential fits for the Big 12.
