UConn, which only rejoined the Big East in 2020, could find a new home again in the near future.
The athletics Andrew Marchand and Justin Williams reported Friday that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is interested in expanding the conference to include UConn, a perennial powerhouse in men’s and women’s basketball. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger added that UConn officials visited Big 12 athletic directors in Dallas last week to further negotiate a possible expansion.
Yormark is reportedly set to present the idea to the league president next week. A vote on the expansion would require 12 of 16 votes from members.
Per The athleteUConn is considering a possible move to the Big 12 to strengthen its football program, which has been independent since 2020 and has not posted a record above .500 since 2010. However, if the university is admitted to the Big 12, the football team could not join the conference until after the next television rights deal, or, as The athlete reported, “at least for several years.” Dellenger reported that if approved, UConn would join the conference in all sports except football by 2026 at the latest.
The Big 12 officially expanded from 12 to 16 schools on July 1, when Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the conference after leaving the Pac-12. UConn returned to the Big East in 2020 after spending seven years in the American Athletic Conference from 2013-2020.
UConn is the national champion in men’s basketball and has won eleven titles in women’s basketball under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
