With millions worldwide eagerly awaiting an update on the saga of UConn potentially joining the Big 12, on Monday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel delivered the message.
Thamel mentioned that Big 12 ADs and Chancellors met on Monday afternoon to discuss UConn, but no vote was taken.
“The Big 12 presidents/ADs met about UConn today,” Thamel said. “No vote was taken on admitting the Huskies, as expected. The call was informational in nature and discussion-focused. It was led by the Big 12’s outside consultant, who walked through UConn’s media and market value. The discussions are expected to continue.”
According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, UConn, if eventually approved by the Big 12 to join, would join the league as an all-sports member in 2026 and in football in 2031.
The idea gives Connecticut some time to acclimate and prepare for the grueling process of playing football in the Big 12. In addition, specific funding and investment thresholds would need to be made and met prior to the agreement coming into effect.
Despite Big 12 expansion conversations still being in the early stages, UConn donors and alumni have already begun to make up their minds in favor of the move to the Big 12.
On Sunday, Marc D’Amelio, a Norwalk native, creator of the D’Amelio Huskies Collective, and 1991 UConn graduate, expressed optimism about his alma mater joining a new conference. D’Amelio spoke on the possible move, saying, “We need to control our own destiny and it seems like the Big 12 is the right and only opportunity we have if you believe the future of college athletics includes football.”
Needless to say, this endorsement of UConn’s possible joining the Big 12 Conference goes a long way toward a potential move for the Huskies. It’s also been reported that head basketball coach Danny Hurley is not against the potential move.
UConn remains a potentially desirable Big 12 target, given its basketball success. Adding UConn would solidify the Big 12 as America’s premier college basketball conference. Only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (8) have won more National Championships than UConn. However, since UConn’s first National Championship in 1999, UCLA hasn’t won any, while Kentucky has won one.
