Big 12 Expansion - What's Happening In College Sports
So, there's been quite a bit of chatter, you know, in the world of college sports lately, especially when it comes to who's playing where and what conferences are getting bigger. It's a pretty big deal, actually, because these changes can really shake things up for teams, for fans, and for how we all watch the games. This whole situation with teams moving around, it's something that really keeps folks on the edge of their seats, wondering what's going to happen next.
It's almost like a big puzzle, with different pieces trying to find the right spot, and sometimes, a piece that looks like it fits one place might actually be trying to get somewhere else. We're talking about conferences getting bigger, bringing in new schools, and what that means for the future of college athletics. It's a very dynamic time, you know, where things are changing pretty quickly, and a lot of folks are trying to keep up with all the news.
This article is here to help make sense of some of that. We'll be looking at what's been going on with the Big 12, how they're growing, and what some of the recent news means for them and for other conferences, too. It’s a story with lots of different parts, and we’re just going to go through some of the key things that have been happening.
Table of Contents
- What's the Latest on Big 12 Expansion?
- How Does the ACC Deal Affect Big 12 Expansion?
- Why Are Schools Looking at Big 12 Expansion?
- The Big 12's New Look - A Story of Big 12 Expansion
- What Teams Are Now Part of Big 12 Expansion?
- Who is Leading the Big 12 Expansion Efforts?
- What's Next for Big 12 Expansion?
- A Look Back at Big 12 Expansion History
What's the Latest on Big 12 Expansion?
So, the Big 12, they've been pretty busy, actually, getting bigger and adding more teams to their group. It's been a pretty big change for them, and it means they're going to be, you know, even more present in college sports than before. This whole idea of getting bigger, it's something that's been talked about a lot, and now it's really happening. It's almost like they're building a bigger house to welcome more guests, you know, more teams to compete.
As a matter of fact, the Big 12 conference is going to have 16 teams by the year 2024, which is a pretty significant jump in size. This hasn't happened overnight, either; it's been a process that's been going on for a couple of years now. They've been adding schools in stages, which, in a way, makes the whole thing feel a bit more organized. It's not just a sudden burst of growth, but rather a planned increase in their membership, which is pretty interesting to see.
This kind of growth, it really shows that the Big 12 is, like, looking to the future and trying to make sure they stay a big part of the college sports scene. They're making moves, you know, to get stronger and to have more teams playing under their banner. It’s a pretty clear sign of their intentions, and it’s something that a lot of people are watching very closely, just to see how it all plays out.
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How Does the ACC Deal Affect Big 12 Expansion?
Now, there's this other conference, the ACC, and they just made a pretty big deal with ESPN, their television partner. They extended their contract for another nine years, which is, like, a really long time in the world of sports agreements. This deal, it could, in a way, create some interesting situations for the Big 12 and their plans for getting more teams. It's almost like a puzzle piece that doesn't quite fit where you thought it would, you know?
The reason this matters for Big 12 expansion is that this long-term agreement with ESPN could, in some respects, make it harder for the Big 12 to bring in certain schools they might want. Specifically, there's been talk about teams like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami possibly moving to a different conference. But with the ACC having this new, extended deal, it might just keep those schools where they are for a while. It’s a bit of a sticky situation, actually, for everyone involved.
Apparently, part of this new ACC deal includes a plan for rotating games with Notre Dame, which is a pretty big name in college sports. This part of the agreement could, you know, make some of the ACC's bigger-name schools feel a bit more content with staying put. It's like giving them something extra to make them happy, which could, in turn, affect any ideas they had about leaving. So, you know, it’s all connected in a pretty complex way, you see.
Why Are Schools Looking at Big 12 Expansion?
So, even with the ACC's new deal, there's still been some talk, actually, about certain schools possibly leaving that conference. A report suggests that as many as six schools from the ACC, including big ones like Florida State and Clemson, could potentially join the Big 12 if they decide to leave their current conference. This is, like, a pretty big possibility that people are discussing, and it shows that there's still some movement happening, even with these long-term TV deals in place.
This talk about schools possibly moving, it comes after a couple of those schools, Florida State and Clemson, went ahead and, you know, started legal actions against the ACC. They're basically questioning some of the rules about leaving the conference, like the fees you have to pay and how your media rights are handled. It’s a pretty serious step, actually, when schools start taking legal action against their own conference, and it definitely signals that they might be looking for a change.
These kinds of situations, where schools are, like, openly challenging their conference, they often lead to discussions about where those schools might go next. And the Big 12, it seems, is one of the places that comes up in those conversations. It’s almost like a domino effect, where one big event can lead to a whole bunch of other things happening. So, the idea of more teams joining the Big 12 is still very much on the table, it really is.
The Big 12's New Look - A Story of Big 12 Expansion
The Big 12 conference, they're not just getting bigger; they're also doing some pretty cool things to show off their new identity. They recently celebrated their growth to 16 teams by putting out a new song, kind of like an anthem, created by a group called EarthGang. And, you know, they also refreshed their logo system, which is basically how their brand looks. It’s a way of saying, "Hey, we're new, we're bigger, and we're here to stay," which is pretty neat.
This whole effort, they're calling it the "What's Next" campaign, and it's all about showing everyone what the Big 12 is really about. It highlights their presence in different parts of the country, their sports achievements, and even their cultural influence. It also points to how they're trying new things in college sports, which is, like, a pretty important aspect of staying relevant these days. It’s a way of telling their story, you know, to a wider audience.
So, with all these new teams joining, the Big 12 is going to be, in a way, bigger than it ever has been before. This expansion isn't just about adding numbers; it's about making the conference stronger and more visible. It’s a pretty exciting time for them, as they welcome all these new schools and look forward to what the future holds. It’s almost like a fresh start, in some respects, for the entire conference.
What Teams Are Now Part of Big 12 Expansion?
To give you a better idea of who's joining the Big 12, let's talk about the teams that have already come aboard. In 2023, the conference welcomed four new schools: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. These teams, they brought new energy and new fan bases to the conference, which is, like, a pretty big deal for everyone involved. It was the first wave of this current expansion, you know, setting the stage for more to come.
Then, in 2024, the Big 12 added another four schools to their ranks. These new additions include Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah. So, by the time the 2024 season rolls around, the Big 12 will be, you know, at its full 16-team strength. This makes them a pretty large conference, actually, with teams spread out across different regions, which is pretty interesting for scheduling and travel and all that stuff.
These additions mean that the Big 12 has, in a way, really grown its footprint across the country. It's not just about adding teams; it's about reaching into new areas and bringing in different fan groups. This expansion, it's a pretty clear statement about their goals for the future, and it really changes the feel of the conference, you know, in a good way for many people. It's a pretty big moment for them, honestly.
Who is Leading the Big 12 Expansion Efforts?
When we talk about all these changes and the Big 12 getting bigger, a lot of it comes back to one person: Brett Yormark. He's the commissioner of the Big 12 conference, and he's been, you know, pretty central to all of these big moves. He actually signed an extension to his contract with the Big 12, which shows that the conference is really happy with the work he's been doing. It's almost like he's the conductor of this whole orchestra, in a way.
Matthew Postins, who writes about these things, has talked about how Yormark's success will be defined by how he handles big issues like this expansion and also the college football playoffs. So, you know, there's a lot riding on his shoulders, actually. He's the one who's been keeping his options open when it comes to any possible future changes in college football conferences, which is pretty smart, if you think about it.
Yormark was the one who, like, really led the Big 12's expansion project during what's been called a pretty historic time for conferences. He's been at the forefront of bringing in these new teams and making the Big 12 what it is today. So, when you hear about the Big 12 getting bigger, you can pretty much know that he's been a key player in making it all happen. It's a pretty important role, honestly, in the world of college sports.
What's Next for Big 12 Expansion?
So, what's next for the Big 12? Well, even with all the teams they've added, there's still talk, you know, about them possibly adding even more. Some reports suggest that the Big 12 conference is, like, thinking about bringing in more teams to their group. It’s a pretty ongoing conversation in college sports, and it shows that things are still very much in flux, even after all these big changes.
There's even a chance that the Big 12 could, in a way, get another opportunity to add some pretty strong college football teams, like Clemson and Florida State. This is something that's been mentioned in various discussions about what might happen next. It's almost like a bold prediction, you know, for what the future of conference alignment could look like, and it keeps things pretty interesting for fans and observers alike.
Apparently, there are six new ACC teams that have been, like, linked to potentially joining the Big 12 expansion. This comes after the whole situation with Clemson and Florida State and their really big lawsuit against the ACC, which was about a huge amount of money, something like $570 million. So, you know, these kinds of legal battles can definitely shake things up and lead to more teams looking for new homes, which is pretty wild, honestly.
A Look Back at Big 12 Expansion History
It's pretty interesting to look back at how the Big 12 got to where it is today. The conference itself was formed back in 1996, which, you know, isn't that long ago in the grand scheme of things, but it's been a while. It came about by combining two other conferences: the Big Eight and the Southwest Conference. So, it was, like, a merger of existing groups to create something new, which is pretty common in these kinds of organizations.
What's kind of cool is that about half of the schools that were part of the original Big 12 when it first started are still in the conference today. So, while there's been a lot of change and new teams coming in, there's also, in a way, a core group that has stayed together. It shows that there's a pretty strong foundation that has lasted through all the shifts and additions over the years, which is pretty neat to think about.
This history of combining and evolving, it really sets the stage for what's happening now with the Big 12 getting even bigger. It's almost like they've always been open to change and growth, and this current expansion is just another chapter in that story. It’s a pretty good example of how college sports conferences, you know, are always adapting to new situations and trying to stay relevant in a very competitive environment.
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