Big 12 Conference Sports Update: April 2025
As of April 2025, the Big 12 Conference continues to be a dynamic force in collegiate athletics, marked by significant developments across football, basketball, governance, and policy. This article provides an in-depth overview of the latest news and trends shaping the Big 12 sports landscape.
🏈 Football: Expansion and Competitive Dynamics
Conference Expansion and Realignment
In response to the departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference, the Big 12 has swiftly moved to expand its membership. The conference invited four new members: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. This expansion aims to maintain the conference’s competitiveness and stability. The addition of these schools has brought a fresh dynamic to the league, with teams like Cincinnati and Houston making immediate impacts.
Kansas State’s Resilience
Kansas State has demonstrated resilience in the face of a challenging season. Despite setbacks, the team has shown determination and continues to be a competitive force within the conference.
🏀 Basketball: Tournament Highlights and Player Recognition
Men’s Basketball Tournament
The 2025 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, held from March 11–15 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, featured 16 teams due to the conference’s expansion. Houston emerged as the champions, securing their first Big 12 Tournament title. Emanuel Sharp of Houston was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, leading his team with outstanding performances throughout the competition.
Women’s Basketball Tournament
The 2025 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament, also held at the T-Mobile Center, saw TCU clinch their first conference tournament title. Hailey Van Lith of TCU was honored as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, showcasing exceptional skill and leadership.
⚾ Baseball: Upcoming Tournament and Team Preparations
The 2025 Big 12 Conference Baseball Tournament is scheduled to take place from May 21–24 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. This tournament will determine the conference champion and grant the winner an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Teams are intensifying their preparations, aiming to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage.
🏛️ Governance and Policy Developments
NCAA Settlement and Legislative Lobbying
A landmark $2.8 billion federal class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by college athletes against the NCAA and major conferences, including the Big 12, was approved in May 2024. The settlement allows schools to directly compensate athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), with up to $20.5 million per year distributed among athletes. Additionally, $2.78 billion in backpay is allocated for athletes who played between 2016–2024. Stakeholders from the Power Four conferences—SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12—lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill to seek antitrust protection for elements of college sports’ amateurism, standardize NIL regulations, and manage athlete transfer rules.
🧭 Looking Ahead
The Big 12 Conference is poised for continued evolution in the 2025–26 academic year. The expansion of women’s hockey programs, ongoing governance reforms, and the implementation of NIL compensation are expected to shape the future of collegiate athletics. As these developments unfold, the Big 12 remains at the forefront of innovation and leadership in college sports.
