Colorado officially announces move to join Big 12 Conference. Here’s when it’ll happen

The Big 12’s presidents and chancellors voted unanimously Wednesday to accept Colorado into the conference as a new member for 2024, The Athletic’s Max Olson reported Thursday afternoon.

Then Colorado had its own announcement to make. The school said Thursday through a release that its board of regents unanimously approved a resolution “allowing the University of Colorado Boulder to join the Big 12 Conference effective for the 2024-25 academic year.”

The Big 12 confirmed the news via a release on Thursday.

Reports of Colorado’s departure from the Pac-12 reached fever pitch on Wednesday amid the Pac-12’s attempts to complete a new media rights deal.

Colorado was previously in the Big 12 until it left in 2011 to pursue what it hoped would be greater financial stability in the Pac-12.

The addition comes as a huge win for the Big 12, which is losing Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC in 2024 but has added Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and Central Florida ... and is apparently not done growing.

By contrast, the Pac-12 is now on the hot seat, as it’s losing USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in 2024. And, in a scenario that might be considered ideal from the Big 12’s perspective, the conference is also reportedly interested in poaching Utah, Arizona and Arizona State.

Connecticut is also a potential target for the Big 12, while San Diego State and SMU could be replacement targets for the Pac-12.

Colorado also adds a shot of excitement to the Big 12, in large part thanks to new head football coach Deion Sanders. The former college and NFL star is among the most polarizing figures in the sport right now.

This story was originally published July 27, 2023 at 3:02 PM.