American Athletic Conference declines expansion despite school interest

The American Athletic Conference has stated it is not proactively seeking new members, despite reported interest from several institutions. The conference indicated it is comfortable with its current 15-member makeup, though it remains open to evaluating future opportunities as the collegiate sports landscape evolves.

Reports suggest that Miami (Ohio) made an aggressive bid to join, offering between $30 million and $40 million. James Madison University has also explored full membership. Additionally, UConn reportedly expressed interest in joining the conference specifically for its football program, as the Huskies currently operate as an FBS independent. However, UConn athletic director David Benedict has denied reports regarding the school's interest in joining the league.