Fresno State President Confirms Big 12 Interest: Report
Outside of those we’ve really been focusing on, a new school has emerged as a potential expansion target for the Big 12 Conference. The league is now showing interest in Fresno State University, according to a report by The San Joaquin Valley Sun, who received the confirmation from President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval.
As part of the report, The Sun stated that during a Thursday meeting on “Measure E,” a sales tax initiative that would benefit academic and athletics projects at Fresno State, Jimenez-Sandoval mentioned there is interest on the Big 12’s side regarding the Bulldogs, with the league looking to establish a presence on the West Coast.
If passed, which 247Sports detailed, “Measure E” could be the bridge to upgrades for Fresno State that would at least boost the school’s candidacy to join a Power Five conference as an expansion candidate. Per The Sun, targeted projects by the Northern California institution include a $160 million renovation project to Valley Children’s Stadium and a $47 million renovation of the Duncan Athletic Center.
Gonzaga, of course, has also been linked to the Big 12 in recent days. And so have the so-called four-corner schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. So, Fresno State is far from the only league that’s been linked to the Big 12.
“I’m not targeting anyone specifically,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, via John Canzano. “I’ve been saying it. I’ve been pretty transparent and intentional that we’d like that fourth time zone to create more value for our media partners. Would I like to be a national conference in all the different time zones and from a geography standpoint have our Big 12 flag all over the country, 100% … we’ll see where we end up.”
And so the wait lingers on. Now it’s with another potential suitor.
