Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark announces conference to 'pause' UConn expansion discussions
The Big 12 is reportedly pausing expansion discussions on UConn, the league announced on Thursday.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports’ shared the note from the league, which outlines the new development.
“As Commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” the league statement from commissioner Brett Yormark read. “Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time. We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics.”
The conference’s interest in potentially adding UConn to the league had seemingly ramped up throughout the month of August, going so far as to include meetings with the Big 12 presidents and athletics directors about the potential new inclusion.
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But no firm news ever came out of a meeting on August 26, with it seeming more exploratory in nature.
“The Big 12 presidents/ADs met about UConn today. No vote was taken on admitting the Huskies, as expected,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. “The call was informational in nature and discussion focused. It was led by the Big 12’s outside consultant, which walked through UConn’s media and market value.”
UConn was previously a potential target for the Big 12 last calendar year before four Pac-12 teams in Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the ranks. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF experienced their first season in the Big 12 in 2023 as well.
The league is looking to further establish itself as the Big Ten and the SEC consolidate power in the sport. The ACC and Big 12 have both been jockeying for position since, hoping to keep up with the Joneses.
Yormark had previously commented on the conference’s interest in both UConn and Gonzaga.
“Unfortunately, you know, things didn’t work out only because the dream scenario unfolded for us. So, those conversations are no longer,” Yormark said on the Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast in August 2023. “I’m a big admirer of both, those programs are fantastic for all the right reasons.
“But right now, you know, I’m focused on the transition of those four (schools) in right now. And also, how do I leverage the fact that (we have a) 16-team league in 10 states with 90 million people in four different time zones? So that’s my focus right now.”
At some point that focus shifted and UConn once again seemed to have a potential seat at the table. Whether the conference will eventually “unpause” on the Huskies remains to be seen, but for now it looks like all is quiet on that front.