Why the Big 12 Should be Excited About BYU Joining the Conference

For months since their addition, there has been constant excitement around the new programs joining the Big 12 Conference this fall. With the departure of Oklahoma and Texas coming soon, the conference decided to make a splash addition to the group when considering realignment. That big splash was a legendary brand and name within college football, one that has been known throughout the West for decades as being a powerhouse of football excellence. Coming in from the Rocky Mountains of Utah, the Cougars of Brigham Young University have joined the Big 12 Conference.

About BYU Football

Located in picturesque Provo, Utah, BYU has been a significant brand in college sports for decades. A program that has been the alma mater of legends to the game such as Steve Young, Ty Detmer, LaVell Edwards, and Jim McMahon just to name a few. They also boast one of the most beautiful football football stadiums in America, LaVell Edwards Stadium. With a capactity of 63,725 seats, LaVell Edwards Stadium becomes the largest in the conference following the departure of Texas’ DKR Stadium. This stadium has been on the bucket list of nearly every fan of college football, and it is quite easy to see why! (Rumor has it that LaVell Edwards Stadium also serves free ice cream to opposing fans)

The Fans

For years, it has been widely known that BYU fans are very friendly to all visitors of Provo. The fanbase is lauded as being welcoming, and seemingly never hostile towards opposing fanbases. Speaking from personal experience of meeting and talking with BYU fans, I whole heartedly agree with this summarization. BYU fans are also among the most passionate fans in the nation, known to frequently sell out games for their Cougars.

Their Large Television Market

Located just an hour South of Salt Lake City, the addition of BYU provides a massive opportunity for the conference in regards to SLC’s huge population and its top 30 nationally ranked television market. With a population of 3.3 Million people within the SLC metro area and a television market of 1.15 Million households, BYU adds massive exposure for the conference in the region. With such a large market joining the group that means more revenue for the conference, which translates to more money for each member’s pockets at the end of the yearly cycle.

In conclusion, this is a complete win-win situation for all involved. BYU gets to join a Power 5 conference for all of its sports, and The Big 12 adds a massive brand to its ranks in BYU’s notable history of athletic success. When the conference needed to make a home-run addition, bringing in BYU was the grand slam they needed.