Big 12 pauses expansion talks with UConn

The Big 12 and UConn are putting a "pause" on discussing the Huskies' addition to the conference.

"As commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12," commissioner Brett Yormark said Thursday, per The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo. "Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time."

UConn athletic director David Benedict confirmed that talks between the two sides have halted.

"It is always our objective to put UConn in the very best position for future success, so we did engage in exploratory dialogue with the Big 12," Benedict said in a statement. "Ultimately, the Big 12 determined that it will pause on conversations about membership expansion."

A report in August indicated that the Big 12 and UConn were discussing a plan to have the school's football team stay independent until joining the conference in 2031 and not require current members to have their conference revenues slashed.

UConn reportedly told the Big 12 in an in-person pitch that it would add a significant investment to its football program.

The Huskies have struggled to a 10-28 record on the gridiron since 2021. UConn became an independent football school in 2020 but didn't play any games that year.

However, UConn's basketball programs have excelled since rejoining the Big East in 2020. The men's team has won back-to-back NCAA Tournament titles, and the women's program has reached the national semifinal or final in three of the last four years.

The Big 12 brought its membership to 16 ahead of the 2024 seasons by adding Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah.