The Big 12 is expanding.
It is no secret Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark wants to continue to expand the conference’s reach. Having officially added four schools last month as well as Colorado for 2024, that leaves the Big 12 in a position to add more.
To preface this, with the addition of Colorado, the Big 12 is set to have 13 teams in 2024. It is reported the Big 12 wants to stick to 14 teams. This would mean the Big 12 is looking to add one more team, but it doesn’t appear that the opportunity to expand to 16 schools is out of the picture.
Add Another Pac School
The Pac-12 seems to be submerging and there is no better time for the Big 12 to be a life raft for one of those schools. Oregon, Washington, or one of the Arizona schools seem like the most likely candidates. For the Big 12, it seems Oregon would be the biggest get as you then have a footprint in the Pacific Northwest and you are adding a well known brand to the conference, after losing Texas.
Adding Multiple Pac Schools
Similar to what is mentioned above, this would mean Yormark probably goes and gets three total schools from the Pac-12, meaning the Pac-12 will no longer be a major conference. If this happens, Yormark would solidify the Big 12’s western reach while also helping the conference stay relevant with the Big Ten and SEC.
Brett McMurphy reports the Big 12 is looking to add another 1-3 schools, and they “will first seek others from Pac-12 to join.”
Go Eastward and Westward?
This would be a commissioners dream wouldn’t it?
Imagine being able to say you can reach the entire country with your conference’s alignment. Say the Big 12 adds two Pac-12 schools, they still would have to add one more school to reach an even number of teams. There are multiple group of five teams that are looking to most likely move up. Memphis, UConn, Liberty, are just names, but all would bring some value and geographical help to the Big 12.
What role does the ACC play?
The ACC is still a wild card in all of this because they have control over a majority of powerful institutions in the eastern portion of the country. There is speculation surrounding Florida State wanting to leave the ACC, and if that happens it would seem as though the ACC would become a free for all.
If that takes place, you would imagine any of those schools would be in play, but especially Pitt, Louisville, North Carolina, or one of the two Florida schools (Florida State and Miami).
It was also reported that the ACC was looking to expand, and their plans included West Virginia. ESPN says the ACC has explored potential expansion routes which include West Virginia.
Now What?
Now it seems it’s a game of wait and see. Does the Pac-12 add someone and get a media rights deal done as soon as possible to avoid falling apart, or was Colorado the first domino to fall in the end of the Pac-12. Will Florida State jump ship or is that just blowing smoke.
It seems there will be answers sooner rather than later, and for the Big 12 that could come in a variety of ways.
