Getty Image / Christopher Hock
Conference realignment in college athletics has reached a fever pitch in the last ten days. And, it shows no signs of slowing down.
Of course, this round of realignment really started two years ago when Texas and Oklahoma announced that they would be jumping from the Big 12 to the SEC. That sent everyone scrambling. And, when USC and UCLA bolted the PAC 12 for the Big Ten last summer, the game of musical chairs was truly on.
Those four teams, which will start play in their respective leagues in 2024, were four of the biggest prizes available outside of the Big Ten and SEC, the two leagues driving conference realignment. But, there were still a lot of prizes out there for those two conferences, as well as the Big 12.
And, the Big 12 has come out swinging. Commissioner Brent Yormark has basically saved the conference since taking over last September. He agreed to a modest, but passable, media deal. And, he helped poach Colorado from the PAC 12 last week.
He pivoted his sights to Arizona, who obviously wants to get out of a PAC 12 that is the Titanic just after midnight. After almost a year And, now, it seems like Arizona to the Big 12 is happening following meetings by both the Big 12 and the Arizona Board of Regents today.
Big 12 executives met Thursday to approve the application of Arizona as a 14th member, sources tell @YahooSports, paving the way for the Wildcats to enter the conference. It is another step in UA’s path to join. The final step would be approval from its Board of Regents.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 4, 2023
And, the next step for the Big 12 is to take Arizona State and Utah, which will get them to 16 teams.
Decisions from Big 12 expansion targets Arizona State and Utah have not progressed as quickly as Arizona, but they remain viable options for the league and a conclusion is expected in a matter of days, sources tell @YahooSports.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 4, 2023
Stay tuned to BroBible for all conference realignment needs. Friday is setting up to be a pivotal day.