Report: Arizona’s Application Accepted by the Big 12

It looks like the next Pac-12 domino is about to fall.

The Big 12 has approved Arizona’s application for membership, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports. That means we’re one step away from a two-Wildcat Big 12.

Big 12 executives met Thursday to approve the application of Arizona as a 14th member, sources tell @YahooSports, paving the way for the Wildcats to enter the conference. It is another step in UA’s path to join. The final step would be approval from its Board of Regents.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 4, 2023

Much like Pac-12 cohort Colorado, whose Big 12 move was made official last week, Arizona has now been approved to join the conference and just needs a vote from its Board of Regents to make things official.

This move would bring the Big 12 to 14 schools next year with the addition of Colorado and the exit of Oklahoma and Texas.

It would make monetary sense, as Arizona is reportedly set to make $31.7 million as part of the Big 12’s media deal over something that looks to be closer to $20 million with the Pac-12, which has yet to finalize its latest media deal. And it’s also another W for the Big 12 in what’s become a survival of the fittest conference.

If approved, this would end Arizona’s long tenure in the Pacific conference. It was one of the original Pac-10 schools when the league was created in 1978. Before that, the Wildcats called the WAC their home.

The Cowboys and Wildcats have met nine times on the gridiron with the Pokes holding a 5-4 edge. But their last meeting was a head-scratching 59-38 Zona win in Tucson in 2012.