Big East Commissioner Denies Memphis, UCF Joining Conference

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WKMG-TV Sports Director David Pingalore reported on June 16 that “multiple college football sources” said that the universities of Central Florida and Memphis could be invited to join the Big East Conference as soon as this week.

Pingalore reported the invitation is “highly likely.” Also on June 16, Tampa radio station WDAE backed up Pingalore’s report, citing sources that UCF would receive a Big East invitation.

However, Big East commissioner John Marinatto and other league officials said the report was inaccurate. “Those reports are not true,” Marinatto said on June 17.

With Boise State, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah making moves to new conferences, a move to the Big East for UCF and Memphis would come as no surprise.

Central Florida and Memphis are currently members of Conference USA.

Based on a report from CBSSports.com columnist Gary Parish, FedEx CEO Fred Smith has offered up to $10 million to be spent on advertising if Memphis is invited to join a BCS conference.

On June 13, FedEx issued a statement denying the report.

Big East associate commissioner John Paquette reiterated Marinatto’s statement, saying “There is no truth to those reports.”

It’s no secret Memphis has sought to become a member of a BCS conference after former Conference USA members Louisville, South Florida, Cincinnati, Marquette and Depaul left to join the Big East in 2005.

Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson issued a brief statement on June 17 in response to reports that the Tigers are leaving Conference USA for the Big East.

Johnson reiterated the fact that there is no new information regarding conference realignment, stating “The University has not been contacted about any conference realignment. There is no new information available and therefore, I have no further comment to make at this time.”