Massive 12 presidents have been briefed Monday concerning the potential addition of UConn to the league with out taking motion, CBS Sports activities has realized. The league’s lack of unanimity on the problem would require ongoing discussions because the potential subsequent spherical of realignment looms, sources advised CBS Sports activities.
CBS Sports activities was in a position to confirm six Massive 12 colleges in favor of UConn’s addition with two in opposition to if a vote have been taken in the present day. These colleges didn’t wish to be recognized due to the sensitivity of the problem. It takes an excellent majority (not less than 12 of the 16 Massive 12 colleges) to approve such a transfer.
Solely three extra colleges out of the remaining eight, then, could be wanted to scuttle the transfer; nevertheless, a proper vote on the problem is just not imminent, sources stated.
“Nothing was even remotely near being determined,” stated an individual accustomed to Monday’s presentation.
As well as, sources near the scenario inform CBS Sports activities that TV associate Fox is in opposition to the transfer. Including UConn to the Massive 12 wouldn’t solely devalue the Massive East’s contract that Fox accomplished simply two months in the past, it could additionally require amending the Massive 12 contract. That contract, with associate ESPN, is price $2.3 billion and runs by way of the tip of the 2031 tutorial 12 months.
That does not imply a deal could not be struck sooner or later after additional discussions.
Sources point out ESPN, the opposite Massive 12 associate within the present media rights deal, would assist the transfer. The cable big could also be as a result of it does not have UConn basketball amongst its rights. ESPN was an early associate with the Massive East when the league exploded nationally within the Nineteen Eighties.
Massive 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and UConn have lengthy had mutual curiosity since he took workplace in 2022, but it surely wasn’t till two weeks in the past that the college made an in-person presentation to Massive 12 officers. CBS Sports activities confirmed that the plan could be for UConn to be a part of the league in all sports activities besides soccer by 2026. Soccer would then take part 2031 after assembly a set of monetary benchmarks.
The Massive East requires departing colleges to provide 27 months discover and a $15 million exit price. If it is ready to extricate itself from the Massive East, UConn soccer would then be a part of the Massive 12 for the 2031 season.
The small print of UConn’s presentation have been shared with Massive 12 presidents and CEOs Monday for the primary time. Yormark was joined by officers from Endeavor, the league’s strategic media advisor, for the presentation and questions afterwards. Endeavor is supportive of a UConn addition.
Massive 12 skeptics are involved that UConn soccer, even when it meets these monetary benchmarks, would damage the convention’s energy of schedule because it applies to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. The league has already absorbed the lack of its two greatest soccer manufacturers, Texas and Oklahoma.
There are additionally considerations that UConn is “one of the vital closely backed public FBS athletic departments within the nation,” in line with Sportico.
Some Massive 12 CEOs are additionally reluctant concerning the uncertainty of the Home v. NCAA settlement, by which FBS colleges could have the choice of including as much as $23 million per 12 months in income sharing to be distributed to gamers. Whereas it’s virtually a certainty that Massive Ten and SEC colleges may afford that quantity, no Massive 12 administrator who spoke to CBS Sports activities may guarantee that every one 16 members may absolutely fund income sharing.
None of the present discussions have something to do with the league’s ongoing consideration of public fairness cash, sources advised CBS Sports activities. That potential PE associate, CVC, has advised the Massive 12 it initiatives its media rights will not less than double by 2031.
