Austin American-Statesman sports columnist Kirk Bohls wrote that ESPN is close to finalizing a deal with the University of Texas to become broadcast partners as a first step toward acquiring all the Big 12’s television rights that will be negotiated next spring.

“To avoid Texas threatening to leave again, the opinion here is the Big 12 must be aggressive and try to strengthen itself against other assaults. That means looking to expand. It should go after Arkansas and LSU, Arizona and Arizona State, heck even Notre Dame,” Bohls wrote. “I keep hearing Kansas is talking to the Big East. Who would blame the Jayhawks for looking since they were nearly left out in the last realignment merry go-round?”

Until Kansas names a new athletic director, any talk is just that, talk.