Daily Stampede Big XII Expansion Links: 8/1

New month, new drama in this never-ending play of realignment news. Today, it seems that the networks may not be down with the Big XII’s ploy for expansion.

• ESPN and Fox are reportedly not happy with the Big XII’s intentions to expand. Both networks are “digging in their heels paying those kind of increases based on expansion with schools outside of the power five” and feel that the new schools will water down the conference and make it less valuable according to Sports Business Journal. This could potentially throw a monkey wrench into the entire operation.
• TCU’s Frogs of War blog spoke to a TCU administrator who indicated that the particulars of expansion within the brass of the conference are cloudier than they appear. Also mentioned in the article is how Cincinnati, Houston, and Uconn appear to be the leaders in the clubhouse.
• Joey Knight outlines Mark Harlan and Judy Genshaft’s strategy of pointing to USF’s heyday in the Big East as evidence of the schools viability in the power five.
• As part of his ESPN’s car wash duties as part of AAC Media Days, Willie Taggart appeared on Sportscenter this morning where when asked about expansion, he commented “I want a team that’s so good, it’d be hard for anyone to not want our football team.”
• One fan at the PGA Championship over the weekend offered his take on who the Big XII should take.