TCU brass has ‘very productive’ meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott amid Big 12 shake-up
TCU officials met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday in Austin.
“The meeting was very productive,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said.
The school’s athletic department is exploring its options for conference affiliations as Big 12 flagship universities Texas and Oklahoma are likely headed to the SEC.
All options are on the table including staying in a revamped and rebuilt Big 12, or possibly moving to a conference such as the Pac-12.
TCU’s contingent, which included Donati, Chancellor Victor Boschini and TCU trustees, expressed the importance of TCU playing in a top conference for the city’s and state’s economy.
Abbott has also met with officials from Texas Tech and Baylor, a source said.
All three schools remain members of the Big 12 but the conference’s future is in jeopardy with the departures of UT and OU. Ideally, the three Texas schools would like to stay together as a package deal for a conference that may expand such as the Pac-12.
Abbott received TCU’s message well and is committed to doing what he can to ensure the three Texas schools land in good spots.
Time will tell whether that comes to fruition.
TCU’s best option if it exits the Big 12 appears to be the Pac-12. The school, along with Tech and/or Baylor, could sell that league on the importance of adding them in order to expand the league’s footprint into talent-rich Texas.
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 6:49 PM.
