Texas president supports Houston in Big 12 expansion talks

Texas president Greg Fenves was among several notables lending their support for Houston to join the Big 12.

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Texas president Greg Fenves was among several notables on Thursday who lent their support for Houston to join the Big 12.​

“As we look at opportunities for Big 12 expansion, I support considering [Houston] for the conference,” Fenves tweeted. “UH is a huge asset for Texas.”

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said this week that the conference may add two to four more teams. “I’m open to expansion if the proposal is a strong one,” Fenves said Thursday. “The conference is actively evaluating the possibilities.”

Texas governor Greg Abbott also lent his support for Houston as a candidate, calling expansion a “non-starter” without the Cougars’ involvement. University of Texas chancellor Bill McRaven echoed Fenves’s sentiment.

The Big 12 office officially declined comment on support for Houston Thursday.

The Big 12 presently stands at 10 teams and never changed its name after losing Texas A&M and Missouri to the SEC. West Virginia and TCU have been added in recent years.

• Questions abound as Big 12 takes first step toward expansion

Cincinnati, UConn, BYU, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, Central Florida and Boise State could be candidates for expansion. For the conference to expand, eight of the 10 schools currently in the conference would need to vote in favor of admission.