No comment from Big Ten on expansion report; universities deny report

A Kansas City radio station reported Monday the Big Ten Conference offered Missouri, Nebraska and two other universities a chance at league membership. As of right now, the league isn't talking.

"There is no comment beyond what Jim said in December ...," said Scott Chipman, the Big Ten's associate commissioner for communications. Chipman also referred to Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany being in the "silent" phase of expansion discussions after meeting with reporters at the BCS meetings last month in Phoenix, Ariz.

Officials with both Nebraska and Missouri universities denied the report to media outlets.

“There's nothing there at all,” an unnamed source close to Missouri Athletics Director Mike Alden told the Kansas City Star. “Not yet. … nothing has changed.”

When asked if the report had any validity, Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman told the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star "none whatsoever."

The Big Ten announced last December it plans to re-evaluate expansion on a 12-to-18 month timetable. Chipman said Monday there's no deviation from those plans.

Kansas City radio station 810 AM reported the Big Ten also has extended offers to Notre Dame and Rutgers.

It's likely the league's athletics directors, football and basketball coaches will discuss potential expansion plans next week at the Big Ten meetings in Chicago. Chipman said it's unlikely Delany will speak to reporters but it's Delany's decision.