Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany e-mailed conference officials Tuesday to debunk WHB 810's report saying the conference had invited Missouri,
Nebraska, Notre Dame and Rutgers to roll around in the Big Ten's
pile of money.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told the Associated Press about the e-mail, adding there was "no truth" to 810's speculation "whatsoever."
"Actually, Jim sent us all an e-mail telling us there's no truth to that -- which we knew," Smith said. "There's no extensions of offers that have been made, so that's not true."
On Monday, 810 cited
"multiple sources close to the negotiations" saying the Big Ten had
extended the invitations. The station
reported that nothing could be finalized until the conference's
presidents
meet in Chicago in June.
Officials with Nebraska and Missouri have denied the validity of 810's
report. However, The Kansas City Star has reported
that Mizzou officials have begun internal discussions about jumping to
the Big
Ten.
And here's a report from ESPN with Andy Katz saying there's been
no formal offer, but everyone but Notre Dame would jump at the chance to
join if offered. He also says there are three contenders you might not
expect: Maryland, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Update (12:49 p.m. May 12): University of Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins told The Kansas City Star's J. Brady McCollough that KU is "happy where we are."
"We love the Big 12," Perkins said. "This is where we need to be. We are in the right place. With our history, this is our tradition, our mantra. It's everything."
Perkins also evoked the old adage about the grass not being greener on the other side and expressed confidence in Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe. Also expressing confidence in the future of the Big 12 is Kansas State athletic director John Currie.
"If there is someone who doesn't want to be in our league anymore, there will be a whole line of people at the door begging to get into our league," Currie said. "I believe we'll be just fine."
Comments (0)