Report: Big 12 expected to add 4 new teams; timeline details revealed

For a while, after it was revealed that Texas and Oklahoma were leaving for the SEC, the Big 12’s future was seriously in doubt.

Now, it appears commissioner Bob Bowlsby’s league will survive, as ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports that the league is expected to add 4 new members, bringing its total back to 12.

Rittenberg reports that BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston are the 4 teams likely to be added, and that the vote could be finalized by Friday:

The Big 12 is set to add four members — BYU, UCF, Cincy, Houston — likely on Friday (am told vote could be Thursday). Here's our look at what the schools add, the timeline for joining the league, what it means for the Big 12's autonomy status and more. https://t.co/ZgzlALLbnF

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 8, 2021

Nothing is official yet, but it does appear the Big 12 is nearing a situation where it remains among the Power 5 conferences.

Now, it’ll be interesting to see what the timeline is for these teams (particularly UCF, Houston and Cincinnati) to join the Big 12. You can read about that particular timeline in Rittenberg’s ESPN+ piece here.