MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Brett Yormark’s latest move to stabilize and grow the Big 12 Conference is to welcome back a former member. The league announced Thursday that the University of Colorado will return to the league at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Colorado’s return to the Big 12 marks Yormark’s first addition to the conference since taking over as Big 12 Conference Commissioner last summer. The four new members that will open play this fall — BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston — were secured during Bob Bowlsby’s tenure.
Colorado left the Big 12 for the Pac 12 in 2010. However, defections of UCLA and USC to the Big 10 have left the Pac-12 vulnerable and the conference has yet to announce to new media rights deal, something the Big 12 recently locked up.
The Buffaloes have struggled mightily in football over the past decade but the hiring of new head coach Deion Sanders has led to an infusion of interest in the program.
The Big 12 will feature 14 teams in the 2023-2024 academic year. Oklahoma and Texas are set to depart for the Southeastern Conference after the upcoming season.
A statement from the Commissioner. pic.twitter.com/UtGgY5WnTf
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 27, 2023
It is likely that the Big 12 will continue their expansion push with additional teams at some point. The addition of Colorado provides the Big 12 with a Mountain time zone travel partner for BYU.
Joint Statement from CU Chancellor Philip DiStefano and Athletic Director Rick George
After careful thought and consideration, it was determined that a switch in conference would give CU Boulder the stability, resources, and exposure necessary for long-term future success in a college athletics environment that is constantly evolving. The Big 12’s national reach across three time zones as well as our shared creative vision for the future we feel makes it an excellent fit for CU Boulder, our students, faculty, and alumni.
These decisions are never easy and we’ve valued our 12 years as proud members of the Pac-12 Conference. We look forward to achieving new goals while embarking on this exciting next era as members of the Big 12 Conference.