Big 12 Memo Reportedly Told Schools to Say Expansion Decision Was Unanimous

The Big 12 decided not to expand beyond its 10 teams, but the decision reportedly didn't come as easily as initially announced.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby stated Monday the team would not add new members after considering close to 20 schools for admission, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN. Bowlsby also explained the vote among the league's presidents and chancellors was unanimous and no individual schools were discussed.

However, Brett McMurphy of ESPN reported Tuesday it only became unanimous after it became clear the vote would not go through. Any expansion required approval from eight of the 10 member institutions.

McMurphy quoted a source who explained the situation:

"

When presidents get in a room and read the tea leaves that it's going the way it's going, they go with it. Even if there were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 [schools in favor of expansion], those presidents are very skilled in seeing the inevitability of the outcome and aligning on the right side of history. It's pretty easy to get comfortable with that position and stick to it.

"

The conference officials also sent out a memo of talking points regarding the decision, including that there was a unanimous consensus on the decision as well as the desire to stick with 10 teams.

Among other directives were to tell the public "revenue alone does not win championships" and that the Big 12 has the "most competitive competition model in college sports."

The league had cast a wide net in considering expansion, with schools such as Houston, Cincinnati, BYU, UConn and others among the top contenders to gain admission. However, it now appears as though there won't be any conference realignment in the near future.