There has been a lot of talk about the Big 12 wanting to explore conference expansion, especially considering the conference advertises in its title that it has 12 schools, though it now really only has 10.
Between 2010 and 2013, four schools left the conference, reducing it from 12 to eight teams. Those schools included Nebraska, Texas A&M, Missouri and Colorado. The conference added TCU and West Virginia to make up for the exodus.
Now a report says Nebraska, which moved to the Big Ten, wants to rejoin the Big 12.
Radio host Tim Montemayor reported Wednesday that the Cornhuskers want to rejoin the Big 12.
I was told today members of the #BIGXII are willing to let #OU walk because Nebraska has expressed serious interest in rejoining league…
— Tim Montemayor (@TheMontyShow) October 5, 2016
#Nebraska believes they would have access to significant TV money in a new #BIGXII with Texas. #BYU #Hou and #Cincinnati would join
— Tim Montemayor (@TheMontyShow) October 5, 2016
I have heard for going on a year that #Nebraska enjoyed the revenue from the #BIG10 but does not feel their brand has benefited or grown
— Tim Montemayor (@TheMontyShow) October 5, 2016
Monty was formerly a radio show host in Salt Lake City and was plugged into things going on with BYU, which has interest in joining the new conference, along with Houston and Cincinnati.
Previously, Kansas State’s Bill Snyder had said two former Big 12 members wanted to rejoin the conference. His comments over the summer seemed to hint that Nebraska wanted back in, so that would support this report.
Monty also says this new conference, if it were to form, would likely have a new name. He says there is also some bitterness between rivals Texas and Oklahoma over the Longhorns’ efforts to build this new conference, which might not include the Sooners.
Ultimately it seems there are big changes in store for the conference currently known as the Big 12.
