Overview

• The University of Memphis proposed up to $200 million in corporate sponsorships and waived conference revenue distributions for five years to secure a Big 12 invitation.
• Conference officials concluded the bid could not achieve the 12-of-16 supermajority vote required for expansion.
• Memphis’s offer included a clause allowing the Big 12 to expel the Tigers after the 2030–31 season if the program failed to add sufficient value.
• Exiting the American Athletic Conference would trigger at least a $25 million buyout, which Memphis planned to cover with support from FedEx, Lowe’s and AutoZone.
• With its power-conference bid blocked, Memphis must explore alternative pathways to boost its national profile and revenue streams.