Memphis, Tulane and South Florida have decided to remain in the AAC after overtures from new Pac-12
By RALPH D. RUSSO
Posted 9/23/24
Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA are staying in the American Athletic Conference after receiving overtures from the Pac-12. The four schools and the AAC released a statement acknowledging …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Memphis, Tulane and South Florida have decided to remain in the AAC after overtures from new Pac-12
Memphis wide receiver Koby Drake (10) and offensive lineman Jonah Gambill (65) celebrate after defeating Florida State 20-12 in a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Posted
By RALPH D. RUSSO
Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA announced Monday they remain committed to the American Athletic Conference after receiving overtures from the Pac-12.
The four schools and the AAC released a statement that made no mention of the Pac-12, but several people with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press that the rebuilding conference had targeted the three schools as potential new members. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the Pac-12 nor the schools were making they discussions public.
“While we acknowledge receiving interest in our institutions from other conferences, we firmly believe that it is in our individual and collective best interests to uphold our commitment to each other,” the schools said. “Together, we will continue to modernize the conference, elevate the student-athlete experience, achieve championship-winning successes, and build the future.”
The Pac-12 is now expected to turn its attention to UNLV and Utah State of the Mountain West, people with knowledge of the situation said.
The Pac-12 began to restock for a 2026 relaunch two weeks ago by landing Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State from the Mountain West to join Washington State and Oregon State, the only two Pac-12 schools left after a dramatic round of realignment.
The Pac-12 needs at least two more members to reach the eight required to be a recognized conference with access to NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff in 2026.