The University of Texas rejected an offer by Houston to play home-and-home football and basketball series in exchange for reducing the buyout owed for former coach Tom Herman, Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek said.
Yurachek said he made the offer to Texas athletic director Mike Perrin, but Texas decided instead to pay the full $2.5 million buyout owed for Herman.
"At this point there does not appear to be an interest from Texas," Yurachek said Monday. "It's not an option that is on the table any longer."
Houston was interested in securing Texas for a men's basketball game to open Houston's new Fertitta Center, the Houston Chronicle reported. The arena -- renovated at a $60 million price tag -- is scheduled to be ready for the 2018-19 season. The two schools have not played in Houston since 2001.
Perrin, through a university spokesperson, declined comment Monday night.