The MWC is not in a position of strength. If they were, Craig Thompson would not have gone public with the Gonzaga talks. The MWC would have just made the move.
The only other explanation is that Gonzaga leaked the information that led to the Thompson interview and public "talks." Gonzaga might be trying to get leverage...to get a better deal out of or to light a fire under the WCC - or, may be to coax BYU to come with the Zags to the MWC.