The Memphis Tigers are in search of a lifeline to an influence convention. As school sports activities have reorganized in convention realignment over the previous few years, Memphis has remained caught within the American Athletic Convention, which has rapidly change into a mid-major league. The Tigers are determined to get out, and so they’re prepared to supply lots of of thousands and thousands to do it.
The Massive 12 obtained a proposal from Memphis that provided $200 million from college companions, in keeping with reporting by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports activities. Memphis’ proposal additionally says the varsity gained’t take any income from the league for the primary 5 years, and in addition contains an possibility the place the convention can expel them in after 2031 if it decides the Tigers aren’t “including worth.”
Memphis is placing big cash on the desk to get into the Massive 12, however the convention remains to be protecting them locked out. A minimum of 12 of the 16 faculty presidents within the convention have to vote sure to let Memphis into the league, and proper now, the Tigers don’t have the votes.
Massive 12 “not ” in including Memphis regardless of faculty providing $250 million in sponsorship to the league, sources instructed @On3sports. Memphis was making an attempt to purchase method into Massive 12. Yahoo 1st reported Memphis making an attempt to get Massive 12 invite
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 21, 2025
Memphis tried to get into the Massive 12 when the convention added Cincinnati, UCF, Houston and BYU a pair years in the past. It rejected them then, and it looks like it’s going to reject them once more now.
The Massive 12 additionally rejected UConn and Gonzaga lately. Memphis’ present provide would put considerably extra money on the desk for the Massive 12, and it nonetheless doesn’t look like sufficient.
Dellenger studies that Memphis is framing this as a “no threat” proposal. Lengthy-time college sponsors FedEx and Lowe’s would reportedly put up a lot of the cash.
Memphis’ proposal is described as a “no-risk” idea. The varsity would (1) take zero distribution for five years, (2) add, in sponsorships, as a lot as $3M yearly to every Massive 12 faculty’s coffers & (3) topic itself to expulsion after 2030 if Massive 12 deems it’s not including worth.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 21, 2025
Memphis has elevated its funding considerably over time, with monetary assist from main faculty sponsors like FedEx and Lowe’s.
With an enormous reward from FedEx coming, the varsity believes it’s going to attain the complete $20.5M in rev-share with its athletes by subsequent 12 months.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 21, 2025
Memphis is exhibiting its desperation with this provide, and it nonetheless gained’t be adequate. The Tigers have constructed a extremely good soccer program with back-to-back 10-win seasons getting into 2025. The lads’s basketball workforce, coached by Penny Hardaway, has made the NCAA event in three of the final 4 years, however has but to advance previous the primary weekend.
Memphis followers love their Tigers. The college needs a seat on the massive children desk, however to date, the Massive 12 remains to be protecting them away.
