Big 12 Conference Expands to 16 Teams

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is optimistic about the future of the conference despite losing key programs like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. At the Big 12 media days in Las Vegas, he emphasized the conference's expansion to 16 teams with the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, boosting its presence across four time zones. Yormark is committed to making the Big 12 the deepest and most competitive football conference in America, stressing that every week will matter and branding November as a race to the championship. The league is also exploring innovative revenue generation methods, including private equity investment, selling naming rights, and alternative game days. Yormark assured that the Big 12’s new structure and partnerships, such as deals with ESPN and Fox, position it as one of the top three conferences in the nation.