There hasn't been any discussion into Big 12 expansion since the last three-month dive into the process in '16GETTY IMAGES
The expiration of TV deals has "triggered college realignment in the past" for several conferences, but Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby "doesn't see the same seismic shifts occurring" when the conference's contract with Fox and ESPN expires in '24-25, according to Chuck Carlton of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Bowlsby said, "Most of the changes were due to trying to capture cable markets. I think the migration is away from cable markets and toward digital consumption, streaming consumption." Bowlsby "shut down any talk of expansion." That "hasn't been discussed since the last three-month dive into the process" in '16. Still, Bowlsby "sees the possible framework for a long-term conference TV deal in the Big 12." Bowlsby: "Absolutely. But anybody who tells you they know what the media landscape looks like three years from now is delusional." Carlton notes the Big 12 seems to "solidly like where it stands, with 10 members, a football title game, a round-robin schedule and a pending digital network on ESPN+, albeit without Texas and Oklahoma." The conference will "announce revenue distribution Friday that could approach" $40M per school. Bowlsby said, "I like our model better than any other one I see out there" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/31).
