According to an interesting Friday report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellegner, Brett Yormark, and the Big 12 Conference are really open for business.
The report states that UConn officials conducted an in-person visit with Big 12 ADs in Dallas last week as both parties explore the idea of teaming up through conference expansion.
“In a marriage that could bring together arguably the country’s strongest basketball conference and perhaps the nation’s best hoops program, UConn officials visited with Big 12 athletic administrators in Dallas last week,” Dellenger said. “Though nothing is imminent, the in-person presentation is a sign of the serious nature of the discussions.”
The idea of the two parties joining forces would be a massive win for Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and a massive blow to the Big East. Once known as the nation’s premier college basketball conference, the Big East was passed by the Big 12 Conference years ago and left in the rear-view mirror. The addition of UConn Basketball to the Big 12 would be yet another sign of the changing times.
“Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is set to make a similar presentation to the league’s presidents next week,” Dellenger continued. “In the latest version of the deal, UConn would join the conference as a member in all sports except football starting, at latest, in 2026. Contingent upon the school meeting certain investment thresholds in the sport, UConn football would join the Big 12 in 2031.”
The addition would fall perfectly into the lap of Brett Yormark and his vision to decouple basketball from football in the next media rights negotiations. With the addition of UConn Basketball, the Big 12 would add yet another blueblood to its ranks.
UConn’s basketball program has won six national championships in the last 30 years (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024). The six championships put the program in a tie for third most of all time and is the most of any program since the tournament expanded to 64 teams.
Following the loss of Texas and Oklahoma, the Big 12 has added eight teams to the league in the past two years, including Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, UCF, and Utah. While nothing is ever set in stone in the fast-paced world of college athletics, the connection between UConn and the Big 12 appears to be more than real.
