Big 12 conference expansion: UConn shut out yet again; ESPN to blame?

The Big 12 conference will not expand at this time, leaving UConnagain out in the cold when it comes to its want to join a power conference.

“Filed to ESPN. No expansion. No candidate could generate supermajority,” ESPN’s Jake Trotter tweeted out at 3:45 p.m. today.

“Source: Status quo in the Big 12. No members added. League still discussing adding more TV revenue from ESPN and FOX,” SI.com’s Pete Thamel tweeted around 3:30 p.m. today.

Thamelreported last week that the Big 12’s TV partners – ESPN and FOX – were ready to pay the Big 12 to not expand. As pointed out by the Hartford Courant’s Jeff Jacobs, it’s an ugly move by ESPN – which operates in Bristol, Connecticut – to help shut out the state university.

ESPN and FOX want to eliminate the “pro rata clause” in their TV contract with the Big 12.