Back to Big 12? Colorado in discussions about possible return from Pac-12, per reports

Mason Young
·2 min read
5

The University of Colorado, a Pac-12 Conference school since 2011, is discussing a return to the Big 12 Conference, according to multiple Wednesday afternoon reports.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Colorado’s board of regents met Wednesday and another session has been scheduled for Thursday to discuss the move. He also reported Big 12 presidents would be meeting Wednesday evening regarding an “expansion update.”

BuffStampede.com’s Adam Munsterteiger noted that “barring any unexpected hiccups, the (Buffaloes) are indeed on the move to the Big 12.” WildcatAuthority.com’s Jason Scheer reported Colorado is likely to move within the next 48 hours and that there’s another surprise Pac-12 team contemplating a move to the Big 12.

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde wrote that the Big 12 would like to also add Utah, Arizona and Arizona State from the Pac-12, but that’s an unlikely scenario. Scheer’s report indicated none of those schools is the mystery Pac-12 university that’s also eyeing the Big 12.

Alternatively, Forde reported the Big 12 could target Connecticut if it fails to poach additional Pac-12 members.

This latest round of potential Power Five conference realignment looks promising for the Big 12, which is slated to lose Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC in 2024.

The Pac-12, which is losing USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in 2024, is in a precarious position. It could be shedding even more members while it’s currently working to finalize a new media rights deal.

As an announcement of that deal remains unfulfilled, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger noted that Colorado brass publicly pressured Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff to show them the numbers last week.

Dellenger also reported that the Pac-12 held its own board meeting Wednesday morning, wherein Kliavkoff provided an update on the media rights situation. Colorado representatives did not reveal any intentions of leaving or publicize their board of regents meeting to their conference colleagues, Dellenger said.

Colorado’s motivation for the departure appears to be greater financial stability, which, ironically, is why it left the Big 12 for the Pac-12 previously.

Dellinger reported the Big 12 has given Colorado a deadline of Tuesday, Aug. 1 to make a decision. He also named SMU and San Diego State as potential future replacements for the Pac-12.