ARIZONA, USA — The Big 12 Conference voted Friday to accept Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and the University of Utah as full members effective Aug. 2, 2024.
The move is awaiting a formal vote from the Board of Trustees.
"We are excited for this new chapter, a move that is necessary to remain competitive in top-tier Division 1 athletics," ASU President Michael Crow said on the school's website. "We are joining a premier athletic conference and bringing with us programs on the rise, our rich traditions and history, and the metro Phoenix media market. We're in a good spot, and we are pleased to be with UArizona and Utah in the move."
The Big 12 has been targeting the Pac-12’s so-called Four Corner state schools for months, with Colorado making the jump last week.
The additions of the Arizona schools and Utah give the Big 12 16 schools, stretching from Florida to Arizona.
The Pac-12 is now down to 4 remaining members: Cal, Stanford, Washington State and Oregon State.
"The financial package is strong. The stability of the Big 12 is strong. We are ready, and the timing is right," said Ray Anderson, Vice President for University Athletics. "The exposure and visibility as well as the resources from the conference will help us compete for championships. From enhancing our ability to recruit Texas for football to the Big 12's strength in basketball, good days are ahead."
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.