Big 12 presidents, athletics directors meet with UConn amid realignment talks, per report
UConn‘s rumored interested in joining the Big 12 Conference is ramping up, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“The Big 12 presidents/ADs met about UConn today. No vote was taken on admitting the Huskies, as expected,” 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.”
The discussions between both parties are expected to continue.
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 their ranks. BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF experienced their first season in the Big 12 in 2023 as well.
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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark confirmed the conference’s previous interest in not only signing UConn, who has won consecutive NCAA championships in men’s basketball, and fellow basketball power Gonzaga.
“Unfortunately, you know, things didn’t work out only because the dream scenario unfolded for us. So, those conversations are no longer. I’m a big admirer of both, those programs are fantastic for all the right reasons,” Yormark said on the Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast in August 2023.
“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.”
The deal would be expected to move UConn over to Big 12 in all sports — including football. However, a report from The Athletic revealed that the football program wouldn’t be able to move into the conference until the conference’s next media rights deal begins, which wouldn’t be until 2031.
The conference signed a $2.28 billion extension with FOX and ESPN that takes effect in July 2025.
“When I look back on that,” Yormark said of the conference’s new media rights deal. “I think it served as a catalyst for everything we’ve done since because there’s an opportunity cost to such a long negotiation. The fact that we were able to get it done in 90 days, put it behind us and focus on all the other things, I think, was a great boost to our future.”