• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Conference USA Commissioner Seeks to Expand to 12 Teams

  • Commissioner Judy MacLeod would “ideally” expand Conference USA to 12 teams.
  • The league currently has nine members, with Kennesaw State joining as its 10th next year.
The league currently has nine members, with Kennesaw State joining as its 10th next year.
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Commissioner Judy MacLeod expects Conference USA to eventually expand to 12 teams as realignment continues to upheave college football and broader NCAA sports.

“It all depends on who and the fit. We really feel the 10 are together, but ideally, we’d rather be at 12, probably,” MacLeod told The Athletic. “But we’ll make those decisions along the way.”

Kennesaw State, currently in the FCS-level ASUN Conference, will join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) next year moving to Conference USA, becoming its 10th member. The Athletic reports that Missouri State, Eastern Kentucky, and Tarleton State are among the candidates for C-USA expansion. 

“We look at everything from institutional characteristics to the athletic program, alignment of the university and where athletics fits, competitiveness, commitment, academics, compliance,” MacLeod said. “Everything’s going to be a factor. It’s hard to say one thing tips the scale. But obviously, we need people to come in ready to compete and have a plan and be committed.”

This year saw six former C-USA members (Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA) all depart for the American Athletic Conference. 

C-USA’s current nine-member schools include Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech, Liberty, Florida International, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, University of Texas at El Paso, and Western Kentucky. 

Colorado recently triggered the biggest move to shake the college landscape, as it will reportedly leave the Pac-12 to join the Big 12 in 2024.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 28, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Jaemyn Brakefield (4) rebounds over Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) and Mississippi Rebels guard Matthew Murrell (11) in the second half of a South Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena.

SEC Increases Court Storming Fine to $500K—With Caveat

The SEC used to fine schools $500,000 as a third-time offense.
Jayden Cofield awaits the start of a dirll during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Colleges Don’t Want to Be ‘Trailblazers’ in Private Equity

The commissioner says the conference isn’t ready to deal with PE.

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.
Mar 27, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general overall view of the Crypto.com Arena with the March Madness Elite 8 and Sweet 16 logo at center court.

Media Exec on March Madness Expansion Potential: ‘Chump Change’

CBS and TNT pay about $1 billion a year for the media rights.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

Former Seton Hall Baseball Player Sues Over Sexualized Hazing

The student says the coach knew about the hazing and failed to act.
Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) drives to the basket as Memphis Tigers forward Nicholas Jourdain (2) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena.
May 28, 2025

Prospects Picking College Over NBA Draft at Record Rate

The 2025 NBA draft has its lowest number of early entrants since 2015.
May 29, 2025

Brian Kelly Pushes for SEC–Big Ten Alliance. Would It Widen the Gap?

A deal, if completed, would further strengthen college football’s two titans.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Tennessee pitcher Brayden Krenzel (34) pitches during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025.
May 27, 2025

SEC Stranglehold on College Baseball Continues

SEC schools will host eight of the 16 regionals set to start this weekend.
May 22, 2025

Can Golf Emulate the College World Series Model?

Carlsbad, Calif., is hosting the event through 2028.
May 22, 2025

New CFP Seeding Rewards Rankings, Not Titles—Except on the Paycheck

Last season, only conference champions could earn first-round byes.
BYU QB
May 22, 2025

Woman Says Police Discouraged Rape Claim Against BYU Quarterback

The Provo police department denies her account.