Sources -- Big Ten commissioner to explore adding Oregon, Washington - ESPN

Big Ten presidents and chancellors met early Thursday morning and authorized commissioner Tony Petitti to explore adding Oregon and Washington in expansion as potential conference members, sources told ESPN.

Petitti was tasked with narrowing his focus to those schools, which are amid the uncertainty of the future of the Pac-12, and bringing the presidents back more information on the potential additions. No offers have been made nor was a vote taken, sources told ESPN, as there would remain significant political roadblocks to them being added.

The Big Ten explored adding Oregon and Washington in the months following the addition of USC and UCLA, sources told ESPN, but that quest ended in part because of the complications of funding the schools at a full share. This time around, sources told ESPN, the schools would be given only a partial share.

The excess inventory potentially could be covered by one of the league's four current television partnerships — FOX, CBS, NBC or the Big Ten Network.

Sources cautioned on Thursday that complications remain that would need to be resolved for the schools to receive a Big Ten invitation. First off, Big Ten leaders have been hesitant to wipe the Pac-12 completely off the map. The Big Ten's addition of USC and UCLA began the Pac-12's current spiral, which also has been fueled by Colorado's decision last week to go to the Big 12.

But this would be a fatal blow.

The notion of calling checkmate is concerning to Big Ten leaders, sources told ESPN. Part of Petitti's job is to monitor and observe as the future of the Pac-12 plays itself out. If schools like Arizona, Arizona State and Utah leave for the Big 12, the move would be easier for Big Ten decision makers.

There's other headwinds that