The New York Times is reporting that U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is lobbying the Big 12 conference to select the University of Louisville over West Virginia University to fill the vacancy.It had been expected that NCAA leaders were going to announce the Mountaineers' move to the conference as part of a realignment earlier this week, but now sports analysts are calling it "50-50" chance on whether the Cardinals will be selected instead.From the New York Times:Two other people with direct knowledge said that the lobbying of the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, had helped Louisville. His communication with Oklahoma’s president, David Boren, a former senator, and Texas Tech’s chancellor, Kent Hance, a former congressman, played a role in raising Louisville’s fortunes. Hance confirmed that McConnell called him to push Louisville.
McConnell's office would not comment for the story, but West Virginia's two U.S. Senators have questioned the appropriateness and ethics if the Republican Leader did get involved.
