After an offseason filled with talk of potential Big 12 expansion, it appears the idea is coming closer to fruition.

The Big 12 Board of Directors on Tuesday authorized commissioner Bob Bowlsby to move forward with the process of gathering information on prospective candidates interested in joining the league.

Big 12 Board of Directors chairman and University of Oklahoma president David Boren said during a media call Tuesday afternoon that the decision to further explore expansion was unanimous.

According to Boren, the league will consider the addition of two or four schools.

Big12: 6 factors cited for Big 12 expansion: Strength of athletic dept, fan base size, media market, school's reputation, academic strength. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 19, 2016

Boren added that expansion could come as soon as 2017.