• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The Big 12’s grand plans to play games across multiple sports in Mexico never came to fruition, but the conference is still eyeing growing internationally.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Two years have passed since the Big 12 announced plans to play football, basketball, baseball, and women’s soccer games in Mexico—none of which have come to fruition yet.

But the conference hasn’t abandoned its international expansion strategy, despite first delaying the “Big 12 Mexico” initiative from 2024 to 2025, before ultimately pivoting away from its initial plans altogether.

“I want this conference to be a global conference,” commissioner Brett Yormark said at Big 12 football media days this week. “I think we can win globally big-time.”

The Big 12’s presence outside the U.S., like other Power 4 conferences, is growing.

In August, Iowa State and Kansas State will face off in Dublin, marking the first time Big 12 schools have competed in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic that’s become an annual Week 0 tradition since 2022. “The game in Ireland is an impetus for future global expansion, and I’m all in on it,” Yormark said. Big 12 member TCU will play North Carolina in Ireland next year.

In November, Baylor’s women’s basketball team will play Duke in Paris as part of a new event in France, and Yormark said there is a “good chance” the Big 12 will play baseball games in Mexico City in the spring of 2026. The Big 12 media days are being held in Arlington, Texas—which is notable, given that six member schools (Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, and Texas Tech) are based in states bordering Mexico.

New Borders

What else could be on the way outside the U.S.? “We’re having conversations with other countries throughout the world that are very interested in bringing the Big 12 to their marketplace,” Yormark said.

International expansion appears to be an area of growth that many college sports are interested in exploring further, as professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have found great success in recent years, taking their products abroad.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

April 19, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Tim Leiweke of the Oak View Group speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena that will be home to concerts and the UT basketball teams on Tuesday April 19, 2022.

Oak View Founder Tim Leiweke Indicted for Alleged Rigged Arena Bid

The Oak View Group founder and chairman is accused of bid-rigging.

U.K. Appoints New Soccer Regulator, EPL Matches Stay Behind Paywall

Men’s soccer in England will receive new levels of oversight.

Jokić Declined a Contract Extension, but the Nuggets Shouldn’t Panic

Jokić still has three years remaining on his current contract.

NFL’s Alternate Uniforms Fuel Big Business—and Lots of Nostalgia

The Commanders kick off a run of new NFL helmets and uniforms.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Sebastian Rivera (R) tf. Danny Coles 6:47 (20-3). Rutgers University Wrestling vs Princeton in Piscataway, NJ on February 18, 2022.

The House Settlement Is Being Appealed. It Won’t Stop Revenue-Sharing—for Now

The settlement’s approval on June 6 triggered an appeals process.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone
July 8, 2025

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.
July 9, 2025

Big Ten, Big 12 Commissioners Remain Far Apart on CFP’s Future

A decision on expansion must be made by December.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center
July 7, 2025

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
July 7, 2025

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
July 7, 2025

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.
July 6, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.