Overview
- Big 12 officials opened an exploratory discussion about moving from an 18- to a 20-game men’s conference schedule at their spring meetings in Frisco on May 27, and no formal vote or decision has been made.
- Coaches voiced a clear preference for keeping 18 games because it preserves November and December nonconference slots used for high-profile matchups that help recruiting, program profile, and player NIL income.
- Conference leaders argue that adding conference games would create more TV content and strengthen the league’s position for media-rights negotiations that begin around 2030.
- Any schedule change would not take effect before the 2027–28 season, and the conversation currently applies only to the men’s programs while the women’s coaches are not pursuing a similar move.
- Big 12 coaches and executives also expressed support for the NCAA’s confirmed expansion to a 76-team tournament, saying the larger opening round will give more teams and student-athletes postseason opportunities.