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Big 12 expansion now appears unlikely, SI.com reports

When is less more? When the Big 12's TV partners make it more appealing financially to reject expanding from 10 to 14 (or more) teams.

SportsIllustrated.com's Pete Thamel reports that the Big 12's school presidents will meet this weekend and, "Interviews with sources from the Big 12, the television industry and schools involved in the expansion process indicate the league's most likely outcome is not expanding."

Money is the root cause.

Thamel writes: "Multiple sources indicated there have been discussions with the Big 12's TV partners to pay the league not to expand. The purpose of the payment would be to eliminate the pro rata clause in the TV contract—which the TV officials consider a loophole—that enables the league to receive nearly $25 million annually for every school it adds.