Big 12 and UConn have been in discussion for the latter to join the conference for a while. The idea of the Big 12’s expansion has been floating around for years now, and there’s no better program than the Huskies to do it with.
Big 12 is arguably the country’s strongest conference and UConn is arguably the best basketball program. So, the coming together of the two seems inevitable. Still, there has only been a lot of discussions over the years without any fruitful result.
Recently, on The Hoops Cap, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports shared his thoughts on the expansion:
“I mean, never say never, right? That is sort of the thought, is that we’ll have like at least a couple of years, probably. Maybe two years until the conversations need to be starting in ’27, ’28 about that stretch of time where a lot of movement is expected.” (From 17:26)
Dellenger said that by 2029-2030, a lot of contracts will start to expire, including the Big 12 TV contract and NCAA contract. As per the analyst, that’s when teams will start moving around and we will see a lot of changes.
So, in that regard, conversations need to happen 18 to 24 months prior to the expiration of those contracts so that the programs are ready with their next move in time. He said:
“So, I will guess in early 2027…that those conversations will start in earnest if they really haven’t started before that. You would think that we would have a little bit of stability, but it does seem to be…It’s just like a nervous time. Everybody seems to be very nervous.”
Despite his prediction and a clear timeline, Dellenger said that he wouldn’t take anything off the table. That includes any major change happening before 2030, deals being finalized in the next few years, and more.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark paused expansion discussions
In August 2024, there was a lot of commotion around UConn joining the Big 12. Their football program, which plays independently, is already slated to join the conference in 2031. In the meantime, the Big 12 wanted to include other non-football sports by 2026.
As per several reports, a lot of discussions were held. Dellenger reported for Yahoo Sports that UConn officials visited with Big 12 athletic administrators in Dallas mid August last year. However, less than a month later, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark paused all discussions.
“As commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” Yormark said in a statement.”
“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.”
Now, once again, there’s a spike in interest about welcoming UConn in Big 12. As noted previously, the marriage between the program and conference is inevitable, it’s just a matter of time till they reach an agreeable terms.
Read More:
“She Took Me Under Her Wing”: UConn’s Kamorea Arnold Opens Up About Relationship With Paige Bueckers
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
