The giant game of musical chairs that is conference realignment is swirling at a rapid pace with significant new developments almost daily.
In the latest round of news, the Big East has invited Houston to join for all sports, according to The Houston Chronicle, and Missouri is headed to the SEC, The New York Times reported.
Big East Commissioner John Marinatto wil hold a conference call with reporters Tuesday in which he is expected to announce that the league approved raising its exit fee to $10 million from $5 million. It remains unclear to what degree Marinatto will address the addition of specific schools.
The Big East is targeting Air Force, Boise State and Navy as football-only members, and Houston, Central Florida and Southern Methodist for all sports.
That would bring the league to 12 football and 17 basketball teams after the departures of Syracuse and Pittsburgh (to the ACC) and TCU (to the Big 12).
The Chronicle reported that Houston chancellor Renu Khator and athletic director Mack Rhoades will head to New York later this week to meet with Big East officials. Houston officials declined comment.
Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey previously told SNY.tv that he was in favor of adding Houston because of its basketball tradition dating to the Phi Slamma Jamma days. Brey also wanted Temple and Memphis because of their basketball programs. Yet Villanova blocked Temple’s admission for the time being, and Memphis is part of the Conference USA-Mountain West merger.
“We need to be mindful of our basketball stuff,” Brey told SNY.tv. “And I think Houston can give us a little bit. Memphis really gives you that star power.
“I like a Temple and a Memphis and a Houston because of their basketball. I don’t really care about their football.”
Meantime, the Times reported that Missouri’s application to the SEC was “inevitable and imminent.”
That would bring the SEC to 14 teams with the addition of Texas A&M next season, and would drop the Big 12 to nine teams.
The Big 12 is expected to add either one or three schools to bring the total to 10 or 12.
Louisville and West Virginia are both expected to be targeted.
(Photo Courtesy Houston Chronicle)
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