Houston's Big 12 candidacy received three major endorsements Thursday, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick and University of Texas president Greg Fenves posted messages on Twitter endorsing the Cougars' bid to join the conference.
As we look at opportunities for Big 12 expansion, I support considering @UHouston for the conference. UH is a huge asset for Texas.
— Greg Fenves (@gregfenves) July 21, 2016
Big 12 expansion is a non-starter unless it includes University of Houston. @UHouston https://t.co/AnHB4dIGnc
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2016
I join with @GregAbbott_TX - any BIG 12 expansion must include @UHouston or NO DEAL!
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) July 21, 2016
Following the endorsements, Houston regents chair Tilman Fertitta told ESPN.com that his school welcomed the support.
"I very much appreciate it," he said. "I always thought President Fenves was an intelligent man. We can't do this without the support of our burnt orange neighbors. We appreciate them all."
Houston is currently in the American Athletic Conference.
Texas, like every current Big 12 school, would have a vote on whether Houston is invited into the conference. A supermajority (eight votes) is needed for a school to get into the Big 12.
"As chairman of the Big 12 Conference, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the prospects of any individual university," Oklahoma president David Boren said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the conference announced that it had authorized commissioner Bob Bowlsby to begin exploring expansion candidates.