I am not so sure that the BIG12 will expand unless someone leaves. Have you seen the article below:
How the Big 12 plans to market itself after Texas, Oklahoma leave for SEC
The presidents and athletic directors got the next best thing to a crystal ball during their recent spring meetings. They heard a report on the perception of the future Big 12. The two-hour presentation came from Dallas-based LDWW, a marketing, advertising and communications agency whose clients include Carnival Corp, DFW Airport, WinStar and Sling TV in addition to the Big 12.
One of the key takeaways is that the loss of Texas and Oklahoma will be felt. It also may not be the apocalyptic impact that many predicted. Now it’s projected as a short-term hit to the conference’s reputation with remaining members still viewed highly in their own markets. The results were based on both a national survey and a survey of the Big 12 footprint with the new members.
”There was a survey of those who watch and engage in sports,” Schovanec said. “There is a slight dip in the perception of the league. We think that’s going to be very temporary. But our new conference is very strong in the 18-44-year-old bracket. We think that bodes very well for the future.”
The 18-44 age group is basically the fans of the future, Bowlsby said.
The survey took nine months to compile and included four focus group sessions in Dallas and two in Kansas City, key metropolitan areas within the current Big 12 footprint.
”I think what we found out in large measure is that, both inside the Big 12 footprint and outside the Big 12 footprint, our membership going forward is viewed very positively,” Bowlsby said. In some ways, the Big 12 will stay the same. Plans for the conference logo will remain the same. Although “Every Game Matters” was a solid branding device, there are no plans for a new slogan.
The biggest change is the four newcomers, who each tested well and projected to have an impact beyond the field, with Cincinnati, Houston and Central Florida having played in New Year’s Six bowls since 2016. The Big 12′s job is to make the new group translate into eyeballs and TV ratings and interest. ”The setting is there for the conference to continue to do well and have a good reputation and good perception of the league,” said one source who watched the presentation.
Because of its affiliation with the Mormon Church,
BYU is essentially a global brand, Bowlsby said. ”Perhaps with the exception of Notre Dame, they have the biggest worldwide reach of any university in the country and have been a traditional power in football,” Bowlsby said.
Central Florida gets the Big 12 into the Florida market and has a massive enrollment of more than 70,000 students – which translates into lots of future alumni and TV eyeballs.
Houston is based in the fourth largest city in the United States and will offer the Big 12 a foothold in a key market it had lost with the departure of Texas A&M.
Cincinnati offers a bridge to the Midwest in a football-rich area, along with a natural rival for West Virginia. And the Bearcats became the first group of five team to reach the College Football Playoff this past season.
Link
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-...r-the-sec/