The Big 12 Is Not Expanding, Let The Realignment Speculation Begin

The relevant Big 12 athletics figures met. Schools were considered. Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel is reporting The Big 12 has opted not to expand.

This was the sensible decision. There was no compelling expansion for the Big 12 that would improve the football inventory or increase the conference’s viability when its grant of rights deal expires. ESPN and FOX, per a report, felt expansion would only water down the conference. Some might speculate the entire expansion gambit was a ploy to get the networks to sweeten the existing deal.

This was not a surprising decision. Texas was against expansion. Oklahoma had reportedly flipped against expansion as well. Let the speculation begin about where those schools end up after realignment. The B1G and Pac 12 may be more compelling options.

Houston may be the school most affected by the decision. The school moving to the Big 12 would have been a central part of any long shot bid to keep Tom Herman from moving on after this season.