This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
BYU is now seen as "toxic" and its hopes of receiving an invitation to join the Big 12 conference are "crumbling," a Sports Illustrated writer opined on Friday in an online piece criticizing that league for its dysfunction that has "reinforced its status as the biggest laughingstock in all of college sports."
Former New York Times writer Pete Thamel, after reportedly "making a round of calls around the league and college sports the past 24 hours" clearly believes that BYU's chances to join the Power 5 conference are circling the drain.
"The potential of BYU's candidacy has taken a precipitous dip," Thamel wrote, later adding, "BYU's candidacy has crumbled."
He speculates that Oklahoma president David Boren's remarks to the OU Board of Regents earlier this week that Big 12 expansion is not a sure thing could be a sign that Boren is backing off his support of BYU and is no longer a proponent of expansion if the school once viewed as the top candidate is not an option he can defend to his fellow presidents.
"Could Boren defend taking BYU?" Thamel asks. "Probably not after a slew of LGBT groups have spoken out against the school…"
Recently, several student government boards in the Big 12, including one at Iowa State, voted against the admission of BYU.
The article at campusrush.com notes that "some presidents still feel [BYU] is the strongest addition and brings the biggest national following," but says BYU "is toxic" because of its honor code forbidding "homosexual behavior" by its students and faculty members.
The Big 12 "would have preferred BYU, but can't take another spate of bad publicity," Thamel concludes, also referring to BYU's longstanding policy against scheduling games on Sunday.