Report: Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark Disputes Memphis Rumors

If Memphis is going to be a future member of the Big 12, it’s not because of any recent meeting. That is, of course, if you believe the conference’s commissioner.

When asked about the reports claiming the Big 12 could target Memphis if the conference looks to expand, commissioner Brett Yorkamrk made it clear he has not met with anybody with the Tigers.

“I’ve never met with anyone at Memphis about adding them to the Big 12, nor have I been on campus,” Yormark said to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Just spoke to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark about the multiple reports that the Big 12 has met with Memphis: “I’ve never met with anyone at Memphis about adding them to the Big 12, nor have I been on campus.”

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 10, 2023

It’s tough to know what to believe when it comes to conference realignment. Too much has happened over the years to completely dismiss any possibility, especially one being reported by multiple outlets at once. With that said, Yormark did not deny interest in Memphis, just that he’s met with the anyone involved with the school.

Report: Big 12 Could Target Memphis as Possible New Member

The constantly changing climate surrounding college athletics and the never ending discussion about conference realignment now has many wondering what the Big 12’s next move will be. The conference managed to maintain its Power 5 status by adding four new members to help counteract the departures of its two marque programs in Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC, but Yormark has also made it known he’s not going to just sit back and relax when it comes to stabilizing the future of the conference.

The argument for Memphis centers around gaining a footprint in the South, something the conference does not really have besides UCF. Memphis, unlike Gonzaga, would also bring a football program, even if not a major brand or overly successful one, which is important.

It’s widely believed Memphis is interested in taking their athletic department to the next level and moving to a bigger conference.

As far as football schools, Memphis can now be placed in the recent Big 12 rumor mill with Colorado and several other Pac 12 programs.

Report: Colorado Ready to Commit Back to Big 12 ‘Soon’

It’s impossible to know what’s actually going to happen, but when it comes to conference realignment, where there’s some smoke, there could very likely be some fire.