With reports swirling that the UConn Huskies could be looking to join the Big 12 via expansion, an important UConn voice has spoken up.
Marc D’Amelio, a Norwalk native and 1991 UConn graduate, has increasingly become a prominent figure in the UConn athletic world. As name, image and likeness (NIL) changes the college sports landscape, D’Amelio stepped forward for his alma mater and created the D’Amelio Huskies Collective.
On Sunday, D’Amelio shared his support for a move to the Big 12, saying in part, “We need to control our own destiny and it seems like the Big 12 is the right and only opportunity we have if you believe the future of college athletics includes football.”
His full post on X is below.
Who is Marc D’Amelio?
CTInsider wrote about D’Amelio’s history. D’Amelio and his family became famous after youngest daughter Charli went viral on TikTok in 2019. Her following has reached over 150 million on TikTok and over 48 million on Instagram.
Marc and his wife Heidi capitalized on their increased following and have constructed a D’Amelio empire, one that includes their own reality TV show on Hulu called “The D’Amelio Show.”
Marc now has 10.4 million followers on TikTok and 1.5 million on Instagram while Dixie, the oldest daughter, has over 80 million on Instagram and TikTok combined. Dixie has become a well-known singer in her own right.
Needless to say, this kind of endorsement for UConn possibly joining the Big 12 Conference goes a long way for a potential move for the Huskies. It’s also been reported that head basketball coach Danny Hurley is not against the potential move.
