• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 18, 2025

Big 12 Entries Boosting Tickets, Merch For New Members

  • BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF became official members of the Big 12 in July.
  • In 2024, Texas and Oklahoma will depart while Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah will join.
Syndication: The Enquirer

The Big 12’s four new schools are seeing significant financial gains early into the first year and football season with the conference. 

BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF became official members of the Big 12 in July, with the three former AAC members paying exit fees of $18 million to break contracts and leave early (BYU had no exit fee as a FBS independent).

Going into the final weekend of September, the four schools have seen varying spikes in ticket sales, merchandise purchases, and donations.

  • Beyond selling out its 40,000 football season tickets in April, BYU’s women’s soccer and volleyball teams set single-game attendance records in the first month of their seasons.
  • Cincinnati recorded $65.7 million in donations during fiscal years 2022 and ‘23, compared to $37.4 million the prior two years.
  • Houston season ticket sales are up about 42% to 27,000, and the school has raised nearly $70 million for construction of a $140 million football operations center.
  • UCF is projecting record football season attendance and has sold a record number of men’s basketball tickets.

In 2024, Texas and Oklahoma will depart the Big 12, while Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah will join to make a 16-team conference. In 2025, a new $2.28 billion media rights deal with ESPN and Fox will begin — bringing further revenue gains for the new and current schools alike.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.

Cleveland’s WNBA Team Follows Golden State’s Proven Blueprint

The franchise will play its first WNBA season in 2028.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
The 153rd Open

Trump Talks Continue, but Turnberry’s Open Return Is Uncertain

Trump Turnberry is still under consideration for future Open Championships.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
July 16, 2025

President Trump Is Actively Working on an NIL-Related Executive Order

It’s unclear what the executive order would include.
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway walks off the court after losing to Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena.
July 17, 2025

Memphis Basketball and Softball Placed on NCAA Probation

Memphis has had multiple NCAA issues since hiring Penny Hardaway.
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
July 16, 2025

Alabama’s New Era Contends With NIL—and Nick Saban Rumors

Kalen DeBoer is entering his second season as head coach.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
July 15, 2025

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
July 15, 2025

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.