By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas chancellor David Gearhart said Thursday he has no knowledge of any “feelers” sent from the Razorbacks to the Big 12. But Gearhart made one thing perfectly clear: The Razorbacks aren’t moving from the Southeastern Conference to the Big 12 no matter how many times the possibility is mentioned.
Gearhart spoke to the Arkansas News Bureau on Thursday evening and said he’s not completely surprised reports continue to surface regarding Arkansas and a potential move to the Big 12 because “that’s the nature of the business.” However, he had no knowledge of anyone on Arkansas’ behalf speaking to the Big 12 about the Razorbacks interest in jumping to the 10-team conference held together despite losing Nebraska and Colorado last week.
“I suspect this thing will go on, but we’re not going anywhere,” Gearhart said. “I’ve talked with (athletic director) Jeff (Long) about it. I’ve talked with our system president, Dr. (Alan) Sugg, and I’ve talked with the head of our athletic committee on the board and I’ve talked with the chairman of the board. Everybody, I think it’s fair to say, is very, very happy that we are in the SEC and that we’re staying in the SEC.
“I don’t know about any feelers or anything. I have not talked to anybody. I don’t know about Jeff. But I would assume he hasn’t. I think it’s just rumor.”
Orangebloods.com cited sources in the Big 12 as saying Arkansas has put out “feelers” about a potential move to the conference in hopes of reconnecting with former Southwest Conference rivals Texas and Texas A&M. However, the story indicated Arkansas didn’t have enough votes to join the league and those sources said they would have to see how the television money worked if a team or two was added before anyone would vote for expansion.
The Orangebloods.com indicated a Big 12 executive source said Arkansas joining the Big 12 was “a long shot.” Another said, “Arkansas has definitely put feelers out about joining the Big 12.” A third executive said, “If anybody can make the math (money) work, it’s Jerry Jones.”
Tom Keegan of the Lawrence Journal-World reported Wednesday that Jones, an Arkansas alum and owner of the Dallas Cowboys, wants Arkansas and Notre Dame to join the Big 12. Jones, through a Cowboys spokesperson, denied talking to Arkansas about a move, according to ESPNDallas.com.
Gearhart’s response to the reports isn’t the first from an Arkansas official regarding the changing conference landscape.
On Wednesday, athletic director Jeff Long said Arkansas was happy with its membership in the SEC.
“From the beginning, we have been very clear that the University of Arkansas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference and has no interest in joining another conference,” Long said in a statement. “Chancellor Gearhart has been unwavering in his support of our institution’s continued membership in the SEC. Recent events have not in any way altered our commitment or desire to remain a member of what we believe is the strongest conference in the nation.”
Gearhart added Thursday he believed the SEC was the best “in the country” and saw no reason for Arkansas to move.
“I suspect it’s a big deal to so many people that it’s probably going to have a life of its own for awhile,” Gearhart said. “I think some people were surprised that the Big 12 has sort of said they’re staying together, or at least most of them, because there was so much speculation. … But we don’t have any interest in going anywhere.”
