The Big 12 conference is currently in discussions with UConn to potentially add the university to the league in all sports. These talks have progressed to the point where UConn’s athletic director David Benedict and board chair Daniel Toscano met with Big 12 athletic directors in person to make their case. However, despite the advancement in discussions, sources have indicated that there has been pushback among several members of the Big 12 regarding UConn’s potential membership.
One of the key points of discussion during the talks has been football funding and how UConn could maintain competitiveness upon joining the league in 2031. UConn presented their readiness to invest in football and highlighted their past success in quickly becoming competitive in the Big East football conference after joining in 2004. The discussions have also included how UConn could catch up in terms of funding and talent upgrade through NIL by the time they join the league in 2031.
A Big 12 board call is being planned for the following week, where the specific deal points will be laid out to the league’s presidents. It has been emphasized that there is still a long way to go before any decision is made, and the presidents have yet to review the case put forward by UConn. The ultimate vote to add UConn would come down to 12 out of the 16 of the league’s presidents, with some schools expressing support for the addition, while others remain undecided or opposed.
Should UConn be added to the Big 12, it would be for all sports, including their dominant basketball programs. However, there could be a 27-month waiting period for UConn to exit the league in other sports, such as basketball. The addition of UConn, especially with their strong basketball programs, could potentially bolster the Big 12’s reputation as one of the country’s top basketball leagues. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has expressed optimism about basketball being a financial driver for the league’s television contracts in the future, with UConn’s successful basketball programs contributing to that potential growth.
In recent years, the Big 12 has expanded by adding new members such as Houston, BYU, Cincinnati, and Arizona. The league is also set to welcome Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State this year. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has been proactive in expanding the league, securing the future of the conference through television deals and adding new programs to strengthen the league’s overall competitiveness. While there have been discussions about potentially adding Gonzaga in basketball, those plans have not materialized.
The talks between the Big 12 and UConn regarding potential membership in all sports showcase the complexities and deliberations involved in such decisions. The concerns and considerations raised by various members of the league highlight the importance of thorough evaluation and consensus-building before any final decision is reached. The potential addition of UConn could bring significant changes to the Big 12’s dynamics, particularly in football and basketball, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
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