IRVING, Texas – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced that The American has reached agreements with the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Houston regarding the departure of those institutions from The American.

Under the terms of the agreements and in accordance with conference bylaws, The American’s member institutions voted to terminate the membership of UCF, Cincinnati and Houston effective July 1, 2023.

American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco

“I would like to thank UCF President Alexander Cartwright, Cincinnati President Neville Pinto and Houston President Renu Khator – as well as Tulane President Michael Fitts, who is chair of our Board of Directors – for their efforts and leadership to arrive at a sensible resolution to the three schools’ departure from the conference. All three institutions enjoyed tremendous success under the American Athletic Conference banner, and all three were instrumental in taking the conference to great heights, both athletically and academically. We wish them the best and look forward to having them compete in our conference in 2022-23.”

UCF President Alexander Cartwright, Cincinnati President Neville Pinto and Houston President Renu Khator

“It has been a privilege for our universities to compete at the highest level in the American Athletic Conference where our programs have grown and flourished, both athletically and academically. To be part of The American’s climb to national prominence in recent years is something we’ll always look back on with great pride. We are especially grateful to Commissioner Aresco and his staff for their efforts during this process and look forward to an outstanding year of competition in 2022-23.”

COURTESY AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COMMUNICATIONS