Aresco says American conference could get by on 10 teams

Published Sep. 17, 2016 4:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco says his conference would not necessarily replace schools that leave for another league.

Several American programs have been mentioned as prime candidates for the expansion of the Big 12, which is considering adding as many as four schools.

Aresco, speaking before Saturday's football game between Virginia and UConn, says the American has been making contingency plans and would be ready to react to whatever the Big 12 decides to do.

He says the conference could survive with 10 member schools and still hold a football championship game. Aresco adds the league doesn't want to dilute its product and wouldn't just add schools to bring the conference back to 12 members.

He says his priority is to put a winning product on the field and get a better TV deal.