ORLANDO, Fla. — American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said the league isn’t actively pursuing schools and vehemently denied reports the AAC colluded with ESPN in order to poach schools from another conference.
“We are not looking at realignment and we are not out there attempting to take teams,” Aresco stated during the AAC’s virtual football media event Wednesday.
“While ESPN is a valued partner, I have to take a moment to address some accusations that have been made up either directly or indirectly against our conference,” Aresco added. “Our conference — and I say this categorically — our conference has never strategically aligned or plotted with ESPN to influence conference structures.”
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused the network of encouraging other conferences to reach out to the remaining eight schools for possible membership in order that Texas and Oklahoma would avoid paying a massive buyout in its move to the SEC.
According to a report by CBS Sports, Big 12 officials believed it was the AAC that was working with ESPN.
“We wouldn’t do that. ESPN has never done that and would not do it,” Aresco said. “Any suggestions or statements that we colluded with ESPN with regard to the structure of any other conference, as it’s a completely unfounded and grossly irresponsible accusation.”
Texas and Oklahoma accepted an invitation to the SEC with a debut set for July 1, 2025.
A move any sooner would cost both schools around $80 million apiece unless the Big 12 were to fall apart because of the departure of any of the remaining members. The Big 12′s current Grant of Rights deal expires in 2025.
The American’s new media rights deal is set for 12 years and reportedly worth $1 billion.
Aresco said the AAC hasn’t reached out to any of the remaining teams in the Big 12 but he added, “The way we look at it is if there are schools interested in us, schools who would enhance our brand and be a good cultural and competitive fit, then why wouldn’t we consider them?”
Aresco said the league is in the strongest position that it’s ever been which has been the message that he’s emphasized to the AAC’s 11 member schools.
“We discussed with our members what our strategic vision is and why it would be wise for them to stay in this conference which is a conference is strong and stable,” Aresco said. “I think instability is a real concern here. If a conference isn’t stable, then who knows what its future is, whereas this conference is, and we think that we’ve got a great future here.”
