Thursday September 21, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!

Early Exit: Houston, Cincinnati, UCF to Join Big 12 in 2023

  • The three schools will leave the AAC early, joining BYU.
  • The schools will reportedly pay hefty exit fees to do so.
UCF Athletics
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

It’s official: Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF have announced they will all leave the AAC early, departing for the Big 12 for the 2023-24 season. 

BYU will also join the Big 12 in 2023, as it announced previously.

In order to exit the AAC, the three schools will all pay exit fees of about $18 million, The Athletic reported. That’s an extra $8 million per school for leaving before the conference’s agreement, which required 27 months notice of a conference leaving. The schools made their announcement last fall.

As of now, that means the Big 12 will have at least one season — if not two — with its newly minted teams as well as its two defectors, Oklahoma and Texas. 

The Sooners and Longhorns announced last summer that they were leaving for the SEC — the move that set off the most recent slate of conference realignment — but their agreement with the Big 12 doesn’t end until 2025. 

The AAC is far from depleted. To replace Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF, it will add six Conference USA schools. 
The Athletic also reported that the departure agreements with Conference USA are almost official.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics' displays to elevate recruiting.

WBD Pursues ‘Different’ Strategy For Sports on Max

Company to place all of its live sports on new streaming tier
Deion Sanders

Colorado's Epic Victory Sets New ESPN Prime Time Viewership Record

Coach Prime Deion Sanders delivered in prime time on ESPN.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker speaks at post game press conference after 31-7 win over Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Mel Tucker Firing Would Prevent $80M Buyout on Historic Contract

Tucker was suspended after a report of alleged sexual harassment.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.
A general view of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Stadium.
September 20, 2023

Political Support Grows for RFK Stadium Bill

The Commanders exited RFK after the 1996 NFL season for FedEx Field.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Tickets for Colorado’s upcoming road game against Oregon are more expensive than 14 of 16 Week 3 NFL matchups.

Deion Sanders' Impact Makes Tickets Pricier Than NFL Games

Colorado-Oregon tickets are pricier than most Week 3 NFL matchups.
Renderings of the University of Virginia's new proposed athletic facilities.
September 20, 2023

Virginia Joins The College Facilities Arms Race

UVA plans to upgrade football and Olympic sports facilities.
SMU has raised $100 million from donors before it forgoes media rights payments for the first nine years of its ACC tenure.
September 18, 2023

SMU Raises $100M for ACC Move as Basketball, Football Sales Surge

SMU has raised $100 million ahead of its 2024 move to the ACC.
September 17, 2023

Coach Prime, Unbeaten Colorado Keep Larger-Than-Life Hype Going

Boulder was the epicenter of college football over the weekend.
September 17, 2023

Learfield Recapitalization Extends Private Equity Presence In College Sports

Deal advances private equity's presence in college sports
September 14, 2023

Dartmouth Men’s Basketball Players File Petition to Unionize

There are two other similar NLRB cases pending.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks on after a touchdown against Central Michigan during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
September 12, 2023

Michigan State Coach Denies Allegations Amid Unpaid Suspension

In his rebuttal, Mel Tucker called an upcoming hearing a “sham.”
Pac-12
September 11, 2023

Washington State, Oregon State Take Small Step Toward Saving the Pac-12

A small victory for the two remaining schools in the conference.