Much in Big 12 Expansion Land has quieted since Oklahoma president David Boren recently tapped the brakes on the talk. ("I think we got ahead of ourselves," he said.)
The whirlwind of daily reports from all parts has subsided a bit.
But when the league's presidents and chancellors next meet in Irving, Texas, expect a decision to be reached.
It just might be a decision to make a decision.
"You don't want to string people along," said one involved, who asked to remain anonymous. "People get annoyed if you do that."
In speaking with those directly involved with the process, two things are clear. One, the league won't be rushed into a decision, but probably will make a call in the middle of the summer.
Two, there's no question the league is still moving in the direction of expansion. Cautiously.
According to the sources, some in the Big 12 office like the prospect of bringing in Cincinnati and Houston, although those touting the latter have almost given up.
There is also "some sentiment" to bring in Memphis.
"At the end of the day though," said one source, "I still think Connecticut gets in."
Another source said not to leave out BYU, that the Cougars remain a strong candidate.
As I've written in the past, Connecticut makes sense on many levels. ("Check reports from writers with credible sources," one said. "They always include Connecticut.") Some have tried to downplay the Huskies' possible impact by pointing to Rutgers and the Big Ten. The working theory is neither can really deliver the New York television market.
One source pointed out, however, one shouldn't just ask what Connecticut can do for the Big 12, but what the Big 12 can do for Connecticut. Also, understand UConn's administration is not as shaky as that of Rutgers. Given the chance, maybe the Huskies can pick up the football and run with it. (We've all seen what they can do with a basketball.) If the Big 12 moves forward on a league network, a source said, Connecticut is a "must." If the league gives up on a network, a school like Memphis is back in the picture.
Of course, the other angle to expansion is that possibility of a league network. As the days go by, it seems less and less likely the Big 12 will find a partner for that.
Word is, ESPN doesn't even want to create one for the ACC. Headline: "ACC Network On Its Way." Date of headline: May 6, 2014.
ESPN has been dragging its feet for years with a deadline looming. If the network decides not to partner, it owes the ACC a reported $45 million. ESPN might just take that option. Reports are it wants an expanded ACC TV contract, including third-tier grant of rights, in order to partner with the league. The conference is balking at that.
The reason for the back-and-forth is the rest of the landscape. Although the SEC and Big Ten networks are making money, that of the Pac-12 is struggling. And, as we've reported before, the Longhorn Network has been a disaster for ESPN.
Some have suggested Texas allow the Big 12 to use its LHN infrastructure to start a league network. But UT would have to be compensated and, again, there would have to be a partner. That partner would have to be Fox or, perhaps, Comcast, because ESPN isn't ready to dive in again. The water's been too cold.
On Friday, a representative at Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures confirmed that Chris Bevilacqua has been working with the Big 12. His firm is a "media and other commercial rights" advisor.
Bevilacqua helped start CSTV/CBS-SM and what is now ESPN Classic. He's worked with the Big East on a network deal.
We'll see what happens.
The marketplace isn't exactly teeming for league network startups. But the consensus of those surveyed is the Big 12 will continue moving toward expansion. There are still considerations like staging a football title game, College Football Playoff qualification and league stability.
A decision to make a decision, anyway, is upcoming.