What Happened to Big 12 Conference?
The Big 12 Conference, founded in 1994, has undergone significant realignment in recent years, expanding its membership and securing new media rights deals to navigate the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. As of 2026, it comprises 16 full-member universities and projects record revenues, solidifying its position as one of the 'Power Four' conferences despite the departure of long-standing marquee programs.
Quick Answer
The Big 12 Conference has transformed significantly, growing to 16 member institutions by the 2024-25 academic year following the departures of Texas and Oklahoma and the additions of eight new schools. Under Commissioner Brett Yormark, the conference secured a lucrative media rights extension with ESPN and Fox through the 2030-31 season and is projected to generate a record $710 million in gross revenue for fiscal year 2026. Texas Tech is currently favored to win the 2026 Big 12 Football Championship.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Big 12 Conference Formed
The Big 12 Conference was officially created through the merger of the Big Eight Conference and four Texas schools from the Southwest Conference.
Athletic Competition Begins
The Big 12 Conference commenced athletic competition with its 12 charter members.
First Major Realignment Wave
Colorado left for the Pac-12 and Nebraska joined the Big Ten. TCU and West Virginia were added to the conference.
Further Departures and Additions
Missouri and Texas A&M departed for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while TCU and West Virginia officially joined, maintaining the conference at 10 members.
Long-Term Media Rights Deal Signed
The Big 12 announced a 13-year media rights agreement with ESPN and FOX Sports Media Group, running through the 2024-25 season.
First Wave of New Members Announced
BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF were announced as future members, set to join no later than the 2024-25 athletic year, in response to Texas and Oklahoma's impending departure.
Brett Yormark Appointed Commissioner
Brett Yormark began his tenure as the new commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, succeeding Bob Bowlsby.
Media Rights Extended Through 2030-31
The Big 12 extended its media rights deal with ESPN and Fox through the 2030-31 season, a six-year extension worth over $2 billion, which began in the 2025-26 academic year.
BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF Join
BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF officially joined the Big 12 Conference, expanding its membership.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah Join; Texas, Oklahoma Depart
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado (rejoining), and Utah joined the Big 12, while Texas and Oklahoma officially left for the SEC, bringing the conference to 16 members.
Texas Tech Wins Big 12 Football Championship
The Texas Tech Red Raiders won their first-ever Big 12 football championship, defeating BYU 34-7 in the conference finale.
Projected Record Revenue for FY2026
Commissioner Brett Yormark announced that the Big 12 is projected to generate a record $710 million in gross revenue for fiscal year 2026.
2026 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team Announced
The Big 12 Conference released its preseason awards, with BYU's LJ Martin named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr. as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Texas Tech Favored for 2026 Big 12 Football Title
As the 2026 college football season approaches, Texas Tech is widely favored to win the Big 12 Conference championship for the second consecutive year.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Big 12 Conference was officially formed on February 25, 1994, merging the eight members of the Big Eight Conference with four Texas schools from the Southwest Conference, with athletic competition commencing in 1996. Initially a 12-team league, the conference experienced its first major wave of realignment between 2010 and 2013. During this period, Colorado departed for the Pac-12, and Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011. The following year, Missouri and Texas A&M left for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while TCU and West Virginia were added to the Big 12, bringing its membership back to ten.
A pivotal turning point occurred in 2021 when Oklahoma and Texas announced their intentions to leave for the SEC. In response, the Big 12, under then-Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, moved swiftly to expand, announcing the additions of BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, who joined no later than the 2024-25 academic year. Brett Yormark took over as commissioner on August 1, 2022, and continued an aggressive strategy to stabilize and grow the conference. This included securing an early media rights extension with ESPN and Fox through the 2030-31 season, reportedly worth over $2 billion, which began in the 2025-26 academic year and significantly increased annual distribution.
The conference's expansion continued with the collapse of the Pac-12. In 2024, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado (rejoining), and Utah officially joined the Big 12, bringing the total number of full members to 16 for the 2024-25 season, even as Texas and Oklahoma departed. This strategic expansion ensured the Big 12 maintained its status as a 'Power Four' conference, despite the loss of its traditional flagships.
As of August 12, 2026, the Big 12 Conference is a 16-team league headquartered in Irving, Texas. Commissioner Yormark announced in June 2026 that the conference is projected to bring in a record $710 million in gross revenue for fiscal year 2026, an increase from $610.9 million in fiscal 2025. While this marks a significant financial achievement, it still places the Big 12 fourth among the Power Four conferences in terms of overall revenue. The 2026 college football season is underway, with Texas Tech, the defending champions from 2025, favored to win the Big 12 title again. Discussions continue regarding the future of college sports, including potential revenue sharing caps and the 'Protect College Sports Act,' which could influence further realignment, though the Big 12 appears stable for the foreseeable future.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Big 12 Conference made different choices?