While Texas and Oklahoma are leaving to join the SEC, the Big 12 Conference is already adding four teams this year with BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF joining the conference in July. And it sure sounds like the conference plans to keep adding teams after that.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark made it very clear that the conference is not done expanding and will continue to pursue other teams.
“The third priority for me has been to explore expansion for all the right reasons,” Yormark said. “As I’ve said before, it’s gotta be additive. It’s gotta be accretive. But we are focused on it. We’re exploring every and all possibility. I say that while also saying that I love the composition and the makeup of this conference going forward.”
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark on expansion:
"We are focused on it. We're exploring every and all possibility." pic.twitter.com/aGTFBWn4Ub
— Zac Carlson (@zaccarlson) March 8, 2023
“I love the four new schools that are coming in July (and) the continuing eight,” Yormark said. “I think we’re in a great place. But if there’s a chance to get better, it’s incumbent on me as the commissioner to explore those possibilities. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
It’s not clear which teams the Big 12 would pursue in continued expansion, but it is clear that Yormark intends to continue expanding the conference.
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