Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah Apply for Membership to the Big 12
The landscape of college football is set to undergo a significant change as Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah have formally applied for membership to the Big 12 conference. This news comes after Oregon and Washington announced their decision to leave the Pac-12 and join the Big Ten. The Big 12’s board of presidents and chancellors are expected to accept the three new members in a meeting scheduled for Friday night.
The addition of these three schools would bring the total number of teams in the Big 12 to 16, making it one of the largest conferences in college football. This move would also leave the Pac-12 with only four remaining members: Cal, Oregon State, Stanford, and Washington State.
The decision by Oregon and Washington to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten played a significant role in the change of heart for Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah. Initially, these schools had made efforts to stick together and save the conference. However, with the departure of two key teams, they were left with no alternatives. Joining the Big 12 offers more stability and financial security, as the conference has a lucrative media rights deal with ESPN and Fox that will provide members with an average of $31.7 million per year.
The Big 12 has been actively pursuing westward expansion since last summer when USC and UCLA left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. The addition of Colorado last week was a significant milestone in this expansion plan. Commissioner Brett Yormark and the Big 12 continued their determined pursuit of Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah, ultimately convincing them to join.
Arizona has long been a priority target for the Big 12. However, Arizona President Robert C. Robbins wanted to see the terms of a proposed Pac-12 media rights deal before making a decision about the school’s future. Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff presented several media rights deal options, including a primarily subscription-based deal with Apple. The Big 12’s board had already voted to approve Arizona as a new member during a meeting on Thursday.
While Arizona State and Utah had previously expressed loyalty to the Pac-12 and no interest in changing leagues, the departure of Oregon and Washington left them with no viable options. Joining the Big 12 not only provides financial benefits but also offers stability and the opportunity to compete in a strong conference.
The addition of Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to the Big 12 marks a significant shift in the college football landscape. With these three schools joining Colorado, the Big 12 will become a formidable conference with 16 members. This expansion solidifies the conference’s position as a major player in college football.
As the Big 12 continues its westward expansion, it is expected to stop at 16 future members for now. The conference’s focus on adding the so-called “Four Corners” schools demonstrates its commitment to building a strong presence in the western region of the United States.
In conclusion, the formal applications from Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to join the Big 12 conference mark a significant development in college football. The addition of these three schools, along with Colorado, will make the Big 12 a 16-member conference and leave the Pac-12 with only four remaining members. This move provides stability, financial security, and increased competitiveness for the schools involved. The Big 12’s westward expansion strategy is set to reshape the college football landscape and solidify its position as a major conference.