In a recent announcement, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark disclosed that discussions surrounding the potential inclusion of UConn as a member in the conference have temporarily halted. Yormark stated that, after thorough deliberations with conference colleagues and UConn leadership, both parties have collectively decided to pause their conversations and instead concentrate on ushering in a new era of college athletics.

Last month, UConn officials engaged in face-to-face meetings with Big 12 athletic directors during the league's gatherings in the Dallas area. Attendees included athletic director David Benedict and board chair Daniel Toscano, according to sources. The discussions revolved around UConn's commitment to investing in their football program, aiming to ensure competitiveness within the Big 12.

Under the proposed plan, UConn would have become a part of the conference in football by 2031, with other sports joining sooner. However, talks ultimately stagnated due to timing considerations. The current season of the 16-team league is in progress, and with schools facing uncertainties related to the House v. NCAA case and impending decisions on revenue sharing, the addition of new members was not a priority.

The decision to temporarily halt discussions did not come as a surprise, as skepticism had already surrounded the potential addition of UConn when it initially emerged as a topic of conversation. Reports indicated that additional votes were necessary for the league to secure the required approval of 12 out of the 16 Big 12 presidents to include UConn. A high-ranking source within the Big 12 summarized the situation as, "There's a far distance between conversations and anything that would happen."

UConn has long been coveted by Yormark, who recognizes the undervalued potential of college basketball. The university boasts the country's top combination of men's and women's basketball teams, with the men's team securing the past two national championships. Additionally, UConn's proximity to the New York market holds theoretical value in future television deals.

As the commissioner, Yormark expressed his responsibility to explore various opportunities that create value for the Big 12. The conference has garnered a reputation as one of the premier basketball leagues in recent years, and the inclusion of UConn would have only solidified its reputation.

UConn joined the Big East for the 2020-21 season after participating in the American Athletic Conference from 2013-14 through 2019-20. The Big 12 had also engaged in discussions with Gonzaga, but those talks did not materialize into a concrete agreement.