Big 12 expansion rumors swirl around Arizona, ASU, Pac-12 amid Board of Regents meeting

Are the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils headed for the Big 12?

Speculation has been swirling around the Pac-12 schools following Colorado's footsteps and possibly leaving the conference for the Big 12 for days, and it has apparently reached a boiling point with news of a 6 p.m. Arizona Board of Regents meeting Thursday that will include "possible legal advice and discussion regarding university athletics" for the two universities.

The Arizona Board of Regents is the governing body for Arizona, Arizona State and Northern Arizona University, Arizona's three major public universities.

While Arizona has long thought to be pursuing membership in the Big 12 amid an ongoing Pac-12 media rights saga, Arizona State has appeared more hesitant to leave its longtime conference home.

That feeling seems to have shifted recently for ASU, however, with speculation now leaning toward the Sun Devils and Wildcats potentially following Colorado and joining the Big 12 together.

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Check out the latest speculation surrounding Arizona and Arizona State's place in the Pac-12 and Big 12:

The Arizona Republic: Looks like it's time for Arizona State to leave Pac-12 and join Arizona in Big 12

Michelle Gardner wrote: "So Arizona and Arizona State need to jump . . . now. Before it's too late. Yes, it's been good in the Pac-12 for a long time. Other schools are relatively easy to get to, Washington State being the lone exception. Weather delays are rare and major airports service them. Schools in the Big 12 aren't exactly easy to reach and they're not exactly tourist destinations, but so be it."

Arizona Daily Star: Big 12 could add Arizona, Arizona State, Utah

Michael Lev wrote: "With the Pac-12 on shaky ground after the departure of Colorado to the Big 12, the latter has been wooing Arizona, according to multiple reports. The league also could add ASU and Utah to form a 'super conference' to rival the SEC and Big Ten, which reportedly met Wednesday to discuss expansion possibilities."

Big 12 expansion: Why was Arizona State not considered a top candidate to leave Pac-12?

247 Sports: Big 12 could announce Arizona, Arizona State, Utah at same time

Jason Scheer wrote: "There's a legitimate chance that the Big 12 is arranging to make a maximum impact with all the movement going on. That means the Big 12 could announce Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah at the same time. Not definite and I think there are likely leaks before then, but possibility."

Action Network: 'Hard to imagine' conference split between ASU, Arizona

Brett McMurphy wrote: "Arizona Board of Regents calls Thursday night meeting. Source tells @ActionNetworkHQ: “I find it hard to imagine the State of Arizona Board of Regents would be willing to allow one of its institutions to leave the Pac-12 while the other stays. That doesn't seem logical.”

Big 12 expansion: Why Arizona Wildcats are No. 1 candidate to follow Colorado from Pac-12

The Oklahoman: Arizona, Utah and Arizona State decisions take Pac-12 to the brink

Berry Tramel wrote: "ESPN would prefer the Big 12 stays at 14. The Big 12 would like to be a good partner with ESPN. Fox does not have that clause in its contract. If suddenly Arizona, Arizona State and Utah want to come aboard, the Big 12, ESPN and those Pac-12 schools would have come together and sort it all out.  Would Big 12 legacy schools be willing to take a little less — say, $30 million a year instead of $31.7 — to round the league with Arizona, Utah and Arizona State?"

247 Sports: ASU, Arizona close to exiting Pac-12

Chris Karpman wrote: "This is it. Expect the Big-12 to meet privately tomorrow and vote publicly as soon as Friday. ASU and Arizona are very close to exiting the Pac-whatever."

More: Big 12, Big Ten expansions threaten Pac-12 Conference survival

247 Sports: ASU considering leaving Pac-12 with Arizona for Big 12

Chris Karpman wrote: "Hearing more chatter in recent hours about ASU considering a leave to the Big-12 along with Arizona. It’s being discussed more seriously than at any point. New reports today on Big Ten considering adding more Pac-12 teams has the conference appearing on the verge of collapse. One question out there now is who gets in the Big-12 door before it closes at 16. ASU appears more desirable than other options but there is talk WSU sees the writing on the wall and might try to not be left to the MWC after B1G and B12 looting is done. Moves seem inevitable.

Rivals: Makes no sense for ASU, Arizona, Utah to delay exit from Pac-12 for Big 12

It writes: "The timeline of this scenario materializing is fluid, but hearing from several individuals that it *could* happen as early as Thursday (tomorrow) night and overall isn't expected to drag on past this weekend. Makes no sense for ASU, Arizona & Utah to wait a minute longer."

Big 12 expansion: Arizona Wildcats could leave Pac-12, Arizona State Sun Devils could stay

Rivals: ABOR doesn't want Arizona, Arizona State to split

It writes: "Been talking to some individuals with knowledge of the situation who said that in the last 24 hrs ASU has been more receptive than any other point in the past of joining the Big 12. The BOR call conveyed Arizona's desire to leave Pac-12, and does not want the schools to split. It's as far from a done deal for ASU's move but both in-state schools realize more than ever the $10MM/yr or more gap in media revenue between both conferences cannot justify staying put. And no one wants to lose in this crucial musical chairs game. Granted it's been frustrating for the fan base to see ASU more passive than its in-state rival but at this point that same fan base will gladly accept moving on from a sinking ship conference."

Yahoo Sports: Arizona, Arizona State, Utah decision could have a 'cataclysmic impact' on college sports landscape

Ross Dellenger wrote: "And so, what now? The decision from Arizona, Arizona State and Utah could have a cataclysmic impact on the college sports landscape, spanning coast to coast and impacting as many as five leagues. 'If anyone follows Colorado,' says one administrative source, 'that thing is standing on a knife’s edge.'"

More: Pac-12 expansion speculation includes San Diego State, SMU, Boise State, UNLV, Fresno State

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Big 12 expansion rumors swirl around Arizona, Arizona State, Pac-12