Miami (Ohio), James Madison, and UConn have made contact with the American Athletic Conference in an effort to explore potential membership, according to a Friday report from On3’s Brett McMurphy and Pete Nakos.
Miami currently competes in the Mid-American Conference, James Madison in the Sun Belt, and UConn as an FBS Independent — a status that has long fueled speculation about its future conference home.
Following the report, the American responded with a firm stance on stability rather than expansion.
“As the landscape of college sports continues to evolve competitively, legislatively and legally, the American Conference remains focused on driving innovation and helping shape key decisions and opportunities for our member institutions, student-athletes and the industry,” the league said. “The American is not proactively seeking additional members. We will continue to evaluate the changing landscape and opportunities that strengthen the conference and support our collective mission.”
Miami and UConn have not issued public statements, but James Madison reiterated its commitment to evaluating all avenues for growth.
“We strive every day for excellence and to best position our student-athletes and university,” JMU said. “Our charge is to evaluate every opportunity to make JMU Athletics the best it can be now and moving forward.”
The American’s current football membership includes Army, Charlotte, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Rice, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, USF, and UTSA.
Update: the American has declined their invitation:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdtoQblxynK/?stkn=NTF2aDhweGhxYmxj
There is a statement from the American in the article.
Miami being declined in particular is good. The Battle of the Bricks is one of the best G6 rivalries. Would hate to see that go away.
Not adding JMU isn’t smart. Big public university sells out every game and is good at football and not to mention their other sports every year. Also not adding Miami isn’t smart. They’re offering 40 million to the conference, have a yearly rivalry with Power 4 Cincinnati, and building a 250 million dollar arena for their elite basketball team. Which the American needs. Not adding UConn is the only thing that’s makes sense.
14 is plenty for the American, but if the ACC wants to get back to an even number of teams, and looks to the American for THAT… well.
The American may not need any more football members, but they should add a non-football school to make the number of football and basketball members the same, with CAA member College of Charleston being my pick.