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BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston are the four schools most seriously discussed by Big 12 in expansion talks

A Big 12 expansion could happen sooner than anticipated, according to multiple media reports

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby announces no fans will be admitted to the rest of the Big 12 basketball tournament in Kansas City, Kan. As virus disruptions mount and the Dec. 19 end of college football's regular season draws closer, the possibility grows that conference championships, major awards and even College Football Playoff participants will be determined by COVID-19. “If you’d asked me in July if we’d have gotten this many games in, I wouldn’t have wanted to bet a lot of money on it,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)

  | Sep. 3, 2021, 12:40 a.m.

BYU is still in the race.

After two days of meetings, the Big 12 is considering BYU — as well as UCF, Cincinnati and Houston — for a possible league expansion, as reported on Thursday by both The Athletic and ESPN.

The Athletic had previously reported BYU was considered by the Big 12 as a possible addition early on in the process.

In order to expand, the Big 12 would need eight of its current 10 members to approve the candidate schools. Texas and Oklahoma are set to leave the conference to join the Southeastern Conference in 2025.

On Thursday, the Big 12 released the following statement:

“Following two days of consultation with the athletics directors of the continuing members of the Big 12 Conference, commissioner Bob Bowlsby stated, ‘The eight ADs remain committed to furthering the Big 12 as one of the nation’s premier athletic conferences, and look forward to working with our presidents and chancellors to strengthen the league. Future exploration by the group will continue to center on options that best position the long-term strength of the Conference.’”

According to reports, the Big 12 could choose to move on this faster than “initially anticipated,” The Athletic reported.

Last week, The Pac-12 announced that it would not be expanding at this time, shutting the doors on programs like BYU. The Pac-12 will stay at 12 schools, while the SEC seemingly becomes a super conference. However, the Pac-12, Atlantic Coast, and Big Ten conferences did announce last week an alliance for scheduling and policy in response to SEC’s growing power.

Should BYU get an invite from the Big 12, it is unclear if the Cougars would have to pay an exit fee. While football plays as an independent, the remainder of BYU’s sports are in the West Coast Conference.

However, the other three schools — all currently in the American Athletic Conference — being considered would have to pay a hefty sum to move over to the Power Five conference.

The American requires a 27-month notice and each school would pay an exit fee of $10 million.