Yeah, I know Big 12 Minus Two leaders -- from Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe to Kansas A.D. Lew Perkins -- have said there's no interest in making their league mathematically correct. But there's no fun in losing wild speculation. And thanks to a report in the Lawrence Journal-World yesterday, there are new rumors that an influential billionaire with a huge stadium in Arlington, Texas, may push for the league to add Arkansas and Notre Dame (no, really).
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants Arkansas, his alma mater,
in the
Big 12 as well as the Fighting Irish, reported LJW writer Tom
Keegan, who cited a source with knowledge of Jones' thinking.
Let's
not forget that if the Big 12 Minus Two actually gets back to the magic
number of 12 teams, then the conference can hold a championship
football game again. And with the new Cowboys Stadium, I'm sure Jones
would like to see the Big 12's championship game in his stadium.
Orangebloods.com
-- the Texas Longhorns website that pushed a lot of expansion talk in
the last two weeks -- reported that the Hogs have "put out feelers" to
the Big 12, but Jones likely isn't involved.
Also, Arkansas
athletics director Jeff Long issued a statement denying interest:
"FromAs for Notre Dame,the beginning, we have been very clear that the University of
Arkansas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference and has no
interest in joining another conference.
"Chancellor Gearhart hasbeen unwavering in his support of our institution's continued
membership in the SEC. Recent events have not in any way altered our
commitment or desire to remain a member of what we believe is the
strongest conference in the nation."
the Irish like their independence. They're coveted by the Big Ten. If
Beebe wanted to show he's not to be dicked with, he could make a pitch
for the storied university to join the fold (and stick it to the Big
Ten). Will it happen? Doesn't sound like it. But if there's another
school that has enough cache to start its own TV network, Notre Dame is
near the top.
Of course, this is all part of the wild
speculation that's went on since the conference realignment talk
started. So just like Mizzou
to the Big Ten and Texas
and Texas A&M trying to get in the Big Ten, I wouldn't take it
as gospel.
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