In a unanimous decision, the presidents and chancellors of the Big 12 conference voted to welcome Colorado as a new member.
The vote took place during a conference call last night, marking a significant step towards Colorado’s departure from the Pac-12 to join the Big 12.
While Colorado has yet to formally apply for Big 12 membership, reports indicate that the school is expected to submit its application today, the same day as a “special board meeting” of the school’s Board of Regents.
The meeting is rumored to include a vote on the move to the Big 12, suggesting that the final steps to finalize the deal will be taken today.
The expected departure from the Pac-12 comes after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, coinciding with the end of the Pac-12 television deal. As a result, Colorado would not be required to pay any exit fees to the league.
Colorado leaving Pac-12 to return to Big 12 in 2024, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. CU will receive full Big 12 share ($31.7M) from ESPN/Fox media deal. Buffs left because of Big 12 stability & Pac-12’s uncertainty, sources said. Announcement Thursdayhttps://t.co/IOo8LWAuTF pic.twitter.com/4Ilq91C0EO
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 26, 2023
Colorado’s potential move to the Big 12 has been under consideration for months amid the Pac-12’s ongoing television contract negotiations. The school has had extensive discussions with the Big 12, even holding in-person meetings in May to explore the possibility.
The back-to-back board meetings held by Colorado served as a strong indication of the school’s dissatisfaction with the Pac-12. Reports suggest that the decision to switch conferences has been influenced by the Pac-12’s inability to secure a lucrative television deal, a concern expressed by Colorado’s athletic director, Rick George.
“We are where we are,” George recently told ESPN. “We’ve just got to figure it out.”
Colorado’s return to the Big 12, should the move be formalized, holds historical significance as the school was previously a member of the conference from 1996 to 2010 before joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
During its time in the Pac-12, Colorado’s football program struggled, achieving only two winning seasons and no bowl victories.
The decision by the Big 12 to accept Colorado’s membership is seen as a step forward in reshaping the conference landscape. Once the formal application is received, the move is expected to be a formality, and Colorado will embark on a new chapter in the Big 12 conference.
With USC, UCLA and (assumingly) Colorado all leaving, what’s going to happen to the Pac-12?
You would think it’s only a matter of time before a major conference tries to lure Oregon and/or Washington away.
Is the Pac-12 on its death bed?