Big 12 Talks About Adding UConn for Basketball

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is intensifying efforts to bring the University of Connecticut (UConn) into the conference, with a meeting scheduled for next week to further explore this potential expansion. Sources indicate that the level of support among Big 12 presidents for UConn's inclusion remains uncertain. UConn, a dominant force in men’s basketball and a strong contender in women’s basketball, would enhance the Big 12's presence in the lucrative Northeast television market, which currently lacks a member. For UConn, the primary motivation for joining the Big 12 is to revitalize its struggling football program, which has been independent since leaving the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2020. The Huskies have faced challenges on the gridiron, achieving no more than three wins in seven of the last eight seasons, although they reached a bowl game in 2022. If accepted into the Big 12, UConn's football team would likely not compete in the league until the next television rights contract is negotiated, potentially delaying full integration for several years. The Big 12 is poised to enter a new six-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN and Fox, which will provide an average payout of $31.7 million per school. This deal was established prior to the addition of former Pac-12 schools, and while ESPN is obligated to pay a pro-rata share, Fox may be less inclined to increase its financial commitment due to existing agreements with UConn basketball. Current Big 12 members have been assured that UConn's addition would be "budget-neutral," meaning it would not impact revenue distributions to existing schools, according to multiple administrators within the conference.