Big 12 Reportedly Set to 'Aggressively Pursue' Further Expansion
The Big 12 conference is reportedly set to "aggressively pursue" further expansion according to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated. Dellenger's report comes on the heels of an announcement from the Big 12 that Texas and Oklahoma will leave the conference in 2024. With the departure of Texas and OU now resolved, Yorkmark will turn to the last of his three primary goals: further expansion.
In the announcement about the Texas/OU departure, Yormark said, "By reaching this agreement, we are now able to accelerate our new beginning as a 12-team league and move forward in earnest with our initiatives and future planning."
The timing of this announcement is especially interesting given the realignment events of the last few days. To recap, Brett McMurphy reported that Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was set to visit SMU on Wednesday. He also reported that SMU and San Diego State are the "top Pac-12 expansion candidates."
On Thursday, The Athletic published a fascinating article about the hurdles impeding the Pac-12 from signing a new media rights deal. In the article, the team of writers wrote that "Three people with knowledge of the discussions said commissioner George Kliavkoff is struggling to find partners willing to pay close to what the league is seeking. Two of those sources said Kliavkoff overpromised his members on how many bidders there would be and what dollar amount they could command." They also included this bombshell from a Pac-12 AD:
“(We) don’t have a deal because it hasn’t been good,” said the AD.
CBS Sports Dennis Dodd reported that the new Pac-12 deal would also be heavily reliant on streaming. Something that was described as "unprecedented for a Power Five conference and for whichever streaming giant becomes the first to more fully embrace college sports. The move would likely upset Pac-12 coaches, athletic directors and administrators who rely on widespread visibility for their games via linear (cable) and network platforms for everything from athletic recruitment to university enrollment."
Multiple prior reports have indicated that the new Big 12 commissioner is interested in expanding West and entering the fourth time zone (Pacific Time Zone). The Big 12 aggressively pursued Pac-12 schools Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado over the Summer. They've also been linked to Oregon and Washington. At the time, those talks were described as "serious" and the reports indicated that the Big 12 wanted to move quickly. Those conversations stalled as both conferences negotiated their media rights deals. Back in October, the Big 12 struck a new deal with ESPN and FOX to own its rights through 2030-2031. The Pac-12, meanwhile, has not signed a deal.
Could the growing frustration within the Pac-12 could be the straw that broke the camel's back?
Multiple reports indicate that Texas and Oklahoma will pay the Big 12 $100M in early exit fees. $80M of the $100M will go to the eight legacy Big 12 members according to Brett McMurphy. Those dollars could also be used to lure schools away from the Pac-12.
There are various storylines to follow surrounding Big 12 and Pac-12 expansion in the coming months. First, the Big 12 will be left with 12 schools once Texas and Oklahoma leave. No other Power Five conference has more than 16 schools. In the event that the Big 12 is able to lure away Pac-12 schools, would they expand to 14? Or maybe 16? Or even an unprecedented 18? In that case, which schools would be invited to the Big 12? There are many dominoes that would need to fall before the Big 12 could lure away schools from the Pac-12, but this week's events could be considered the first of those dominoes. The longer the Pac-12 goes without a new TV deal, the more compelling Yormark's case will become.
Additionally, is the Big 12 interested in the two Pac-12 expansion candidates SMU and San Diego State? The Big 12 has had every opportunity to invite SMU and declined. Frankly, the same is true with San Diego State. SDSU, however, would get the Big 12 into the Pacific Time Zone. The Big 12 has also been linked to basketball powerhouse Gonzaga.
In the ever-changing world of college football realignment, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is aiming to further secure the Big 12's future. Yormark has been aggressive since the day he was named the commissioner - don't expect that to change anytime soon.
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