This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

What effect will the letter that LGBT advocacy groups sent to Big 12 presidents accusing BYU of discriminating against gay, lesbian and transgender students and staffers have on the private school's bid to become a member of that conference?

That was the big question almost immediately after Fox Sports first reported that Athlete Ally had penned the letter to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

A report in the Dallas Morning News might provide the answer.

According to "multiple industry and Big 12 sources," which the newspaper did not name, "BYU's strong football tradition, national following and 63,000-capacity stadium may not be enough to secure Big 12 membership."

One industry source who is familiar with the Big 12 discussion reportedly called the issue noteworthy.

"It is a serious issue," the source told the DMN's Chuck Carlton. "Whether it keeps them out or not, it is a serious issue."

The newspaper says BYU, Cincinnati and Houston are viewed as the leading candidates.

"Three schools for two possible spots. This doesn't help [BYU]," the source said.

Meanwhile, BYU has not responded publicly aside from the statement school spokesperson Carri Jenkins delivered to The Salt Lake Tribune and other news outlets on Monday.

However, athletic director Tom Holmoe took to Twitter on Tuesday with the following tweet:

"LGBT players, coaches and fans are always welcome to the BYU campus," Holmoe wrote. "Everyone should be treated with respect, dignity and love. Tom.'

On July 19, Big 12 presidents directed Bowlsby to begin studying expansion candidates, and BYU quickly came to the forefront because it most fit the criteria that Bowlsby said Big 12 officials were looking for in a new member.

A source told The Tribune on Tuesday that BYU officials were not caught off-guard by the letter, and they knew LGBT rights organizations were preparing to wage a public campaign in an effort to keep the Big 12 from inviting the school owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Athlete Ally executive director Hudson Taylor, who wrote the letter accusing BYU of having an "express policy of discriminating against same-sex couples and LGBTQ students" acknowledged to the Provo Daily Herald in an article published Wednesday that he did not reach out to BYU before sending the letter and has had no interaction with school officials.

— Jay Drew