In a surprising turn of events, discussions between the Big 12 conference and the University of Connecticut (UConn) regarding potential expansion have been halted. Despite initial talks over the past few weeks, both parties have decided to step away from the bargaining table for now.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, responsible for exploring new opportunities for the conference, expressed his decision to pause the conversations with UConn. He stated, "We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics."

While most FBS expansion decisions have been driven by football, the Big 12 officials have shown interest in the potential upside of basketball. There were discussions about possibly separating basketball from the conference's media contract and selling it separately.

UConn has an impressive history in basketball, making it one of the top basketball schools in the country. With multiple national championships on both the men's and women's sides, the Huskies have garnered recognition for their success. However, their football program has struggled in recent years, which has been a point of concern in the expansion talks.

Under one proposal, UConn's football program would have become a full Big 12 member after the next contract in 2031, allowing them time to improve. However, the issue surrounding UConn's football participation remained contentious.

Sources revealed that there were hesitant presidents and athletic directors within the Big 12 who were skeptical about the benefits UConn could bring to the conference. Questions surrounding UConn's financial arrangements and their existing commitments to the Big East further complicated the discussions.

Despite the pause in conversations, Commissioner Yormark remains optimistic about UConn's potential and branding. He firmly believes that UConn could be a valuable addition to the Big 12 and hopes for their inclusion down the line. However, he recognized that the timing was not right, as it would not be in the best interest of the conference to push the issue further.

Yormark's proactive approach has been instrumental in the Big 12's ability to navigate realignment and maintain its stability. Since taking over as commissioner, the league has successfully welcomed eight new teams, including former Pac-12 teams, BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF.

While UConn's inclusion in the Big 12 would have strengthened the conference's basketball reputation, the Big 12 will move forward as a 16-team league without them. Despite their absence, the conference is still projected to maintain its status as the strongest basketball league in the country.

As of now, both the Big 12 and UConn have set aside expansion discussions, focusing instead on the future of college athletics in this evolving landscape.