BREAKING: Horizon League has invited IUPUI, according to report

The Horizon League has extended an invitation to IUPUI to join the conference, according to Tony Paul of DetroitNews.com.

Paul reported on Wednesday that the league had extended an invitation, but IUPUI, which is currently in the Summit League, was not thought to be in contention because it does not have a baseball team. It was believed, as of earlier Thursday, that Fort Wayne and Grand Canyon were the two most likely candidates. We reported that Grand Canyon did have conversations with the Horizon League, but we could not confirm if an invitation was ever extended.

IUPUI will replace Valparaiso, which took Wichita State’s spot in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State is moving to the American Athletic Conference.

League presidents have not yet decided whether IUPUI will join for the 2017-18 academic year or 2018-19.

IUPUI has yet to accept the invitation, as the two sides are still negotiating, Paul says.

Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone says the league, which would expand to 10 schools if IUPUI accepts, could eventually expand to up to 14. If that were to happen, a geographic outlier like Grand Canyon could be a better fit down the road.

We will update this story as it develops.