Nebraska officials shot down talk Monday that the Big Ten Conference has offered an initial invitation to join that league.
“The University of Nebraska has not been offered any opportunity to move from the Big 12," said Meg Lauerman, a spokeswoman with Chancellor Harvey Perlman’s office.
WHB, a radio station in Kansas City, Mo., cited anonymous sources in claiming that Nebraska, Missouri, Notre Dame and Rutgers had been invited to go to the Big Ten, which announced last winter that it is considering expanding from its current 11-team arrangement.
A Nebraska source said Monday that Husker Athletic Director Tom Osborne met with some coaches last week and said he didn’t expect the Big Ten CEOs to gather until mid-June or later to discuss any moves. Other athletic department officials who saw Osborne on Sunday night said he made no mention of any such invitation.
The university’s statement:
“We recognize the intense speculation about conference realignment and the possible impact it may have on Nebraska. Both Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Athletic Director Tom Osborne have indicated that the university would consider any opportunity that would advance the interests of the university.
“The University of Nebraska has not been offered any opportunity to move from the Big 12. We remain committed to the success of the Big 12 Conference. Until the Big Ten Conference makes and announces its decision on expansion, the University of Nebraska will have no further comment and we do not intend to continue to respond further to questions or speculations on this subject."
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