New AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti said that his “main priority is ‘alignment’” and “making sure everyone in the conference is on the same page,” according to Jonah Dylan of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Pernetti said that he “plans to visit AAC campuses throughout the summer and into the start of football season.” Dylan noted new Memphis AD Ed Scott discussed conference realignment in his introductory press conference, “even specifically mentioning the ACC and Big 12 as potential destinations.” In response, Pernetti said, “The thing about conference expansion is it doesn't need to be a dirty word. ... Let's not pretend like it's not out there hanging over our heads all the time.” He added of Memphis, “We're going to focus on what we can control.” When asked if it is frustrating to have a school that is publicly expressed interest in leaving, Pernetti said he “encourage people being open about it.” Pernetti: “It's healthier for everyone to be open about it." Pernetti was asked if there were “any discussions about adding another non-football member to replace SMU's other sports” after the AAC recently added Army as a football-only member. Pernetti: “There are many active discussions going on right now about membership. And I think we will be proactive and aggressive related to what we think are good opportunities” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/3).
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