Reports: Four schools likely to join Big 12 next week

The next domino in the 2021 edition of college sports realignment appears set to fall next week, and the big loser will be the American Athletic Conference.

Multiple reports Friday afternoon said that four schools – BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF – will apply for admission to the Big 12 Conference next week, and the league’s presidents are expected to approve their application as soon as next Friday.

That would put the Big 12 at 14 schools, likely for the 2023-24 academic year, and once Texas and Oklahoma depart for the Southeastern Conference, it would leave the league with a number that matches its name – 12 schools.

The American, which has 10 schools including Tulane in all sports, Navy as a football-only member and Wichita State in other sports, would drop to eight members, the fewest of any Football Bowl Subdivision league, if and when Cincinnati, Houston and UCF depart.

However, just as the Big 12 acted quickly in replacing the Longhorns and Sooners, it’s likely AAC leadership will move to increase its numbers in time for the departure of three of its top football programs.

According to conference bylaws, schools leaving The American are required to give 27 months notice and pay a $10 million exit fee. With a shorter timeline, the fee is expected to be higher, according to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.

Brett McMurphy of The Action Network suggested that BYU, which is an independent in football and a member of the West Coast Conference in other sports, could join the Big 12 as soon as next fall.