James Madison, Miami (OH), and UConn seek American Conference membership
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 25, 2026, 2:58 PM
Last updated Sep 25, 2026
James Madison, Miami (OH), and UConn have approached the American Conference about possibly joining the league. The American released a statement indicating it is not actively pursuing expansion, despite interest from these three programs. Miami (OH) has reportedly made an offer between $30 million and $40 million, while UConn is interested in a football-only membership. James Madison has seen success since joining the Sun Belt, including being the first Sun Belt team to qualify for the College Football Playoff in 2025. Current membership in the American remains unchanged from previous seasons.
- •American Conference not actively seeking expansion currently.
- •James Madison and Miami (OH) interested in full-time membership.
- •UConn prefers football-only membership while remaining in the Big East for other sports.
- •James Madison has a record of 43-11 since moving to the FBS.
- •Miami (OH) has reached three consecutive MAC Championship Games.
- 3:51 PMESPN NCAAF — American Conf. not pursuing expansion, but 3 interested
- 2:35 PMYahoo Sports — UConn, James Madison, Miami (Ohio) rejected by American Conference, per report
- 2:25 PMYahoo Sports — Report: James Madison, Miami (OH), UConn attempt to join American
"The American Conference has several suitors for expansion, if the league chooses to go down that road. James Madison, Miami (OH), and UConn each contacted the American about potential membership, per On3 Sports’ Brett McMurphy. However, the league is not interested in expanding at this time, per McMurphy. McMurphy reported James Madison, which has been […]
"The American Conference issued a statement Friday saying it is "not proactively" seeking to expand. Sources told ESPN that Miami (OH), James Madison and UConn have approached the conference about potentially joining.
"UConn, James Madison and Miami (Ohio) have attempted to join the American but the league is not expanding, according to a report from Brett McMurphy.
Sources
External links- ESPN NCAAFSep 25, 2026, 3:51 PMAmerican Conf. not pursuing expansion, but 3 interested
The American Conference issued a statement Friday saying it is "not proactively" seeking to expand. Sources told ESPN that Miami (OH), James Madison and UConn have approached the conference about potentially joining.
- Yahoo SportsSep 25, 2026, 2:35 PMUConn, James Madison, Miami (Ohio) rejected by American Conference, per report
UConn, James Madison and Miami (Ohio) have attempted to join the American but the league is not expanding, according to a report from Brett McMurphy.
- Yahoo SportsSep 25, 2026, 2:25 PMReport: James Madison, Miami (OH), UConn attempt to join American
The American Conference has several suitors for expansion, if the league chooses to go down that road. James Madison, Miami (OH), and UConn each contacted the American about potential membership, per On3 Sports’ Brett McMurphy. However, the league is not interested in expanding at this time, per McMurphy. McMurphy reported James Madison, which has been […]
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