Big 12 talks to add UConn have stalled, Commish said

Commissioner Brett Yormark said Thursday morning that the Big 12’s conversation about potentially adding UConn as a member has stalled.

“After detailed discussions with UConn leadership as well as my conference colleagues, we have jointly decided to suspend our conversation at this time,” Yormark said in a statement. “We will instead focus our attention and resources on ushering in this new era of college athletics.”

Last month, UConn officials met in person with Big 12 athletic directors at their league meetings in the Dallas area. Athletic director David Benedict and board chairman Daniel Toscano were at the meeting, sources said. That included a conversation about how UConn will invest in football to be competitive in the Big 12.

UConn’s plan was to enter the football league in 2031 and other sports soon after.

According to sources, the talks stalled and ended due to scheduling reasons. Adding membership has not been a priority as the 16-team league is in its early season and schools face uncertainty in the House v. NCAA lawsuit as well as decisions on revenue sharing.

The decision at the negotiating table does not come as a big surprise. Back when UConn emerged as part of the talks last month, a tinge of skepticism hung over the Huskies potentially joining.

At the time, ESPN reported that the league needed to add some votes to get the votes of 12 of the 16 Big 12 presidents needed to add UConn. One source summarizes the discussion this time as follows:

“There’s a long way between the conversation and what happens,” the high-ranking Big 12 source said.

The Huskies have long been coveted by Yormark, who sees college basketball as an undervalued asset. UConn has the best combination of men’s and women’s basketball teams in the country, as the men’s team has won the last two national championships. It also touches on the New York market, which would theoretically add value to any upcoming television deal.

“As commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore various value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” Yormark said in the statement.

Benedict released a statement Thursday saying UConn was involved with the Big 12 as the administration tries to put the school in the “best possible position for future success.”

“I encourage everyone who cares deeply about Huskies to pause and reflect. Of course, it’s flattering to indulge; it says a lot about the Yukon and what others think of us,” he said. “Additionally, we’ve enjoyed tremendous success since returning to the Big East in 2020, including 36 conference championships (in all conferences we’re affiliated with) and, of course, our back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles.

“Regardless of our conference home, our mission has been, and always will be, to provide an exceptional academic and athletic experience to the outstanding young men and women who proudly wear the UConn uniform.”

The Big 12 has been considered the nation’s top basketball league in recent seasons, which will only expand with the addition of the Huskies.

UConn has played in the Big East since the 2020–21 season after playing in the American Athletic Conference from 2013–14 to 2019–20.

In a similar vein, the Big 12 held discussions with Gonzaga, but those did not come to fruition.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.