COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany emailed conference officials Tuesday to stamp out a rumor that four schools had been offered a chance to join the league.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said that Delany had quashed a report the Big Ten had offered expansion spots to Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Rutgers.

The Big Ten holds annual meetings next week in Chicago, but Smith said the meetings were routine and nothing would be decided about expansion.

The conference is looking at expanding from its current 11 members so it can increase the reach of its cable network and hold a league title game.