Report: Conference USA to discuss merger with Mountain West
The board of directors for Conference USA are scheduled to meet this week to consider a possible merger with the Mountain
Such a partnership had been considered even before Conference USA member Memphis' decision to join the Big East, the report said, citing a source.
Conference USA has also lost Houston, SMU and Central Florida in the past year. All have accepted invitations to join the Big
In what appears to be constant rotation, the Mountain West will add Nevada and Fresno State from the Western Athletic Conference for all sports and Hawaii in football, while losing San Diego State, Boise State and TCU in varying degrees.
A merger could create a conference with its current 2013-14 membership of 15 in all sports and 16 in football.
Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky told ESPN.com on Wednesday that he's not expecting to lose any more schools to the Big East.
"Based upon my conversations with commissioner Marinatto, the Big East has now completed its future membership plan. If this is true, it is very helpful as we can now move forward with our plans in a more stable national environment," he said. "We hope that the other conferences appreciate the value of stability in intercollegiate athletics and higher education."
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
