The Big 12 Conference has opened its doors to several programs to expand during this busy and tumultuous off-season of realignment. And while commissioner Brett Yormark originally pumped the breaks on additional add-ons, The Messenger’s Seth Davis reported on Monday that the Big 12 and Gonzaga have resumed negotiations about the possibility of the Zags joining the league, possibly as early as 2024.
EXCLUSIVE: Multiple sources told @TheMessenger that the Big 12 and Gonzaga have resumed negotiations about the possibility of Gonzaga joining the league, possibly as early as next year. My story: https://t.co/BRAj8ZesIQ pic.twitter.com/QEuNRQbORu
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) October 9, 2023
According to Davis, the push is being “spearheaded” by Yormark, who reportedly presented his case for Gonzaga to be included during last week’s Big 12 meetings in Dallas. Of course, this took some of the attendees by surprise, write Davis, after he publicly declared in mid-August that the Big 12 was no longer looking to add more schools, after adding Arizona, Arizona State and Utah.
Here’s more from Davis:
Sources told The Messenger that Yormark would like to see Gonzaga join the Big 12 for the 2024-25 season, but that timetable would be a best-case scenario. The Big 12 schools are still digesting the financial ramifications of adding the schools that agreed over the summer to come on board — as well as this year’s additions of Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF. There are many logistical questions that would need to be answered, such as scheduling and how the conference tournament format would be adjusted to account for 17 schools with Gonzaga in the mix.
Apparently, the prospect of adding Gonzaga was not something that Yormark could give up on. This is understandable when considering their standing as one of the premier blue bloods in college sports, excluding football, of course.
The college sports world reacted to the Big 12 realignment update.
I love this. For everyone (myself included) who criticized Gonzaga’s weak schedule each year, throw them in the top hoops conference in the country and let’s go. https://t.co/sETVbWuWKL
— Tommy Castor (@TweetsFromTommy) October 9, 2023
But, I thought The Big 12 was done with realignment until what was it…2031? Isn't that what folks are claiming? Huh, I guess this means things can change and so can positions on realignment. https://t.co/nV0eJsuWD0
— Immaculate (@ImmaculateView) October 9, 2023
I trust the Gonzaga leadership to do what is best for them. I’m at the point to where I just want to watch basketball. What will happen, will happen. https://t.co/tkgzy53o8q
— Brad Dawson (@bmd23red) October 9, 2023
Brett Yormark has told me and others that he wants to double down on basketball, which he views as an undervalued asset. The league is already the nation’s best. Adding Gonzaga would make perfect sense from that standpoint. https://t.co/f1zNSkowuK
— Eric Prisbell (@EricPrisbell) October 9, 2023
Big 12 legend Adam Morrison https://t.co/RFO1TLRmgj pic.twitter.com/7x2MqAgbwt
— Jacob Harris (@JacobHarrisSBI) October 9, 2023
Man, just go ahead and add Oregon State and Wazzu while you're out there. https://t.co/xSAryWC4Ar
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) October 9, 2023
Would love this. https://t.co/xtMlUwyfgf
— Jonathan Schimmels (@ERPJon) October 9, 2023
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.