Following the Memphis Tigers, a crumbling world approaches the gates of the Big 12 Conference, and in turn, desperation for entry arises without the ranks of the power four realm. Where giant and myth alike roam the Earth, and microscopic programs inflate into supernovas. History is written behind that golden barrier, but despite this American Conference Member's plea for asylum, their barrels of monetary offerings did not impact the gatekeepers to their hopeful destination.
Memphis has taken a swing at P4 membership with a $200 million offer, but the Big 12 declined.
While the school's membership is never an impossibility, the initial push has been met with resistance, as Yahoo reports the majority of the league does not support the proposal.
Memphis has made a $200 million offer to enter the Big 12, per @RossDellenger
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 21, 2025
Big 12 officials are exploring the proposal, but league-wide support is not there. pic.twitter.com/G1zzuo7LMe
A fascinating precedent to set, though perhaps done unintentionally, Memphis' money-over-merit approach must be handled delicately behind the 2-story mahogany doors of the conference's secretive council of the elders. The Tigers approached with a payday and left without a single dollar exchanged.
Memphis has made a name for itself as one of the strongest remaining non-P4 athletic programs after recent rounds of conference realignment (at least in the revenue-generating sports, football and basketball), and was on the shortlist of considerations before 2023's shuffle that added BYU, Houston, UCF, and Cincinnati.
Now in a state of bargain, the Tigers approach on bended knee with a tempting proposal -- $200 million can muster quite the engagement ring -- but the league's hesitation speaks volumes toward Memphis' apparent value.
Accept the proposal, and how long before another offer slides across the table? And then the next? Does $200 million become the standard entry fee? Is any program capable of entering a conference of the Big 12's caliber with enough zeroes on the check?
With this news, the Big 12 boldly declares that it is happy with the league's current composition. A list of schools capable of delivering heart-stopping competition at the nation's greatest stages, this league feels no pressure to buoy itself against future rounds of shake-up.