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AAC commissioner Mike Aresco went on the offensive Wednesday through the convention’s media day by denying any discussions with ESPN to poach groups from the Large 12.
In a CBS Sports activities report, Large 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused ESPN of actively partaking the AAC to pursue “3-5” groups to affix the convention after the SEC voted to confess Texas and Oklahoma as members in 2025.
CBS Sports activities later reported the Large 12 believed the AAC is trying to take all eight remaining groups.
Aresco stated that whereas the AAC has consulted with its tv and enterprise companions for its personal points, he referred to as it a “fully unfounded and grossly irresponsible accusation” that the convention would collude with ESPN to debate realignment points.
“Our convention has by no means strategically aligned or plotted, if you’ll, with ESPN to affect convention constructions,” Aresco stated. “We would not do this, ESPN has by no means accomplished that and wouldn’t do it.”
When requested later if he is reached out to any Large 12 groups, Aresco stated that he had not however declined to say if any groups reached out to him. He reaffirmed that the AAC shouldn’t be realignment or making an attempt to take groups.
Convention realignment has dominated preseason chatter as practices start this week. Memphis begins Friday in coach Ryan Silverfield’s second full season.
Aresco stated the AAC stays steady and in a robust place no matter what different conferences do. He praised Cincinnati’s run to the Peach Bowl final season as effectively Memphis profitable the lads’s NIT basketball championship and Houston reaching the lads’s Ultimate 4.
He additionally praised the School Soccer Playoff board really helpful the playoff increase to 12 groups. With the AAC sending UCF, Memphis and Cincinnati to New Yr’s Six bowl video games up to now 4 seasons, Aresco stated growth is “a meritocratic method” that provides extra groups an opportunity to compete for a nationwide championship.
“It’s going to additionally energize faculty soccer, I consider, as so many extra groups will grow to be related and I feel it should doubtless result in greater scores,” Aresco stated. “I am all for the method shifting forward if, in truth, there may be robust help for it.”
AAC COVID-19 protocols
Aresco stated the AAC won’t reschedule video games that may’t be performed if one workforce is coping with a COVID-19 outbreak. The sport shall be thought-about a forfeit.
He additionally stated the convention can have completely different COVID-19 protocols this season. Groups won’t be examined 3 times per week throughout sport weeks as they have been final season and vaccinated gamers, as of now, won’t be examined in comparison with unvaccinated gamers.
Aresco added the convention’s medical advisory group will meet subsequent week to debate up to date CDC pointers surrounding the Delta variant. He is additionally advocating for groups to succeed in a 90-100% vaccination fee and be an instance each on their campuses and within the communities in assist defeat the pandemic.
“It is crucial that we vaccinate as a lot of our student-athletes as potential,” Aresco stated. “We wish everybody vaccinated. We’re doing fairly effectively, we’re getting up there in numbers however our means to play a full, uninterrupted season might effectively rely on it.”
Observe can attain Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B)
This text initially appeared on Memphis Industrial Enchantment: AAC commissioner Mike Aresco denies plotting with ESPN to raid Large 12
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