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Las Vegas • If anybody has figured out Big 12 expansion, call Craig Thompson.

He would like to know, too.

Thompson is the long-time commissioner of the Mountain West Conference, which has a handful of schools interested in leaving for the riches that accompany Power 5 membership.

"What's going to happen? Nobody has any idea," Thompson said. "… No idea on a timetable. No idea if it will directly affect any Mountain West institutions. We're all playing this game some call similar to a sweepstakes."

The Big 12 has announced plans to vet potential members with an eye on expansion, perhaps as soon as 2017.

At the Mountain West's annual football media days, Thompson said, "They are not actively recruiting people right now, but they are answering the phone and a number of Mountain West institutions have expressed interest. Some of those institutions ... have informed me of such."

Colorado State and Boise State have been widely reported to be pursuing the Big 12. To a lesser extent, so have San Diego State, New Mexico and UNLV.

Interest in moving might involve other schools, too.

At a board of director's meeting in May, Mountain West presidents who wanted more flexibility to leave defeated an effort to increase exit fees to $10 million. The vote was 6-4, with two schools not participating.

"I get that," Thompson said. "They're saying, 'Our aspirations, our alumni, our board of trustees, our governor, our boosters, our ticket holders ... [all] want us to be in the highest position possible. So why would we hinder ourselves, if that opportunity ever came up?' "

Even if the Mountain West had increased the exit fee, Thompson thinks it wouldn't have prevented schools from joining the Big 12, if invited.

After all, revenue payouts in the Mountain West average $4 million, not including affiliate member Hawaii. Big 12 schools receive about $25 million.

"You cannot handcuff and force an institution to stay … if they have an opportunity to leave," Thompson said. "I don't care if it's a $25 million buy-out."

Colorado State and Boise State, like independent BYU, have been mentioned as football-only members of the Big 12. BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe has said it might be a workable option for BYU, partly because the Cougars' non-football sports would presumably remain in the West Coast Conference.

According to Thompson, however, it might be different for Colorado State, Boise State and other league members. If those football programs leave the Mountain West, their other sports probably have to go with them.

Hello WAC? Hello Big Sky?

"Our by bylaws allow it," Thompson said. "But probably not. … BYU was interested in us for their non-football sports a few year ago. But, at the time, our board said no."

The commissioner suggested, no mater what happens with the Big 12 situation, the Mountain West football could have a different look in the not-too-distant future.

Even if Colorado State and Boise State stay — an if no other schools are poached — the league could expand.

"We could look beyond 12," Thompson said. "We could look at [that] scenario. … This membership expansion door swings both ways. Is there something that makes more sense that 12 [teams]? It could be a topic."

The big question regarding possible MWC expansion, of course, is the one Big 12 officials are now trying to answer.

"Who would generate tremendous revenue … and how do you divide it up?" Thompson said. "It's the same game all conference commissioners are asked to play."

Twitter: @sluhm —

Gearing up for a raid?

• Mountain West members Colorado State and Boise State are among a handful of conference schools interested in being part of Big 12 expansion.

• Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson isn't sure how Big 12 expansion will be resolved, but said his league is preparing for the future.

• Whether the Big 12 poaches the Mountain West or not, Thompson says the league might consider expanding beyond 12 football-playing schools.