The Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark announced Thursday that the conference is pausing conversations about possibly inviting UConn to the league.
“As commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” Yormark said in a statement. "Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time. We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics.”
The Big 12's rekindled conversations with UConn of the Big East became public two weeks ago, after school officials pitched the Huskies to conference athletic directors at a meeting in Dallas.
Big 12 university presidents and chancellors heard from the conference's media consultants last week on the value of adding the Huskies. UConn has won the last two men's basketball national titles and has a powerhouse women's basketball program, but its independent football program has floundered for more than a decade.
UConn athletic director David Benedict released a statement, saying the school did engage with the Big 12 as the administration attempts to to put the school in “the very best position for future success.”
“I encourage all who care deeply about the Huskies to pause and reflect. Certainly, it is flattering to be courted; it says a lot about UConn and what others think of us,” he said. “Further, we have enjoyed tremendous success since our return to the Big East in 2020, which has included 36 conference championships (across all conferences in which we are affiliated) and, of course, our back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles.
“No matter our conference home, our mission has been, and will always be, to provide an exceptional academic and athletic experience to the outstanding young men and women who proudly wear the UConn uniform.”
Yormark has long been interested in adding the East Coast school with a massive following in the New York area to a conference that spans from Orlando, Florida, to Tempe, Arizona. The Big 12 has become the strongest and deepest basketball conference in the country in recent years, and Yormark, a former NBA executive, believes there is untapped value in college basketball.
The plan called for adding UConn in most sports as soon as possible, while providing a six-year runway for the school to invest in and improve its football program.
UConn rejoined the for most of its sports after leaving the American Athletic Conference. The Huskies have been a football independent since, going 10-27 with one bowl appearance. But men's basketball has been revitalized, with coach Dan Hurley leading the Huskies to their fifth and sixth NCAA championships. The UConn women's program has won 11 national titles, more than any other school.
With Army joining the AAC this year and UMass scheduled to join the Mid-American Conference in 2025, UConn and Notre Dame will be the only remaining major college football independents.
Adding UConn was billed as a cost-neutral move for current members of the Big 12. The conference's new six-year agreements with ESPN and Fox kick in next year and will pay members about $31.7 million per school annually.
The idea was not embraced at a time when there are other priorities facing schools, most notably implementation of a new revenue-sharing model in major college sports and grasping the financial impact of a $2.78 billion settlement of antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and major conferences.
The Big 12 just began its first year as a 16-school conference after adding Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado and Utah from the failed Pac-12.
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FILE - Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addresses the media, Oct. 17, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are over, with “Shogun” claiming the top drama prize and “Hacks” winning best comedy.
The hosts, father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, opened the show Sunday night. They won Emmys at the 2020 awards for “Schitt’s Creek.”
“Shogun,” “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” were favorites going into the night. “Shogun” emerged with the top drama prize and “Baby Reindeer” snagged the limited series trophy. “Shogun″ extended its lead for most wins by a show in a single season, collecting 18 Emmys this year.
But “Hacks" emerged as the top comedy series, denying “The Bear” a comedy series repeat.
The Emmys are back in their traditional mid-September spot after a single strike-delayed edition in January.
The show began at 8 p.m., Eastern time, and is airing on ABC from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Here's the latest:
“I’m blessed with all the people around me who helped me make it happen. I kind of just feel a bit overwhelmed right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Richard Gadd said backstage after his three wins for “Baby Reindeer.” “I’m just so glad that the show has touched the lives of so many people, and the Academy have acknowledged it in this way. It’s the greatest night of my life. What can I say?”
Gadd also initially declined to answer a question about the $170 million defamation lawsuit Netflix is facing for the show, but then spoke to its impact. The lawsuit comes from the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series, which is based off of Gadd’s life and experience with a woman who stalked him.
“It’s easy in this day and age to focus on the negatives,” he said before saying the show has driven some viewers to donate to sexual assault and stalking-focused charities and has done “phenomenal things worldwide for so many people.”
Hiroyuki Sanada is the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best actor in a drama.
“I am beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees,” he said. “‘Shogun’ taught me when we work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”
Sanada received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Anna Sawai is the first Japanese actor to win best actress in a drama. The actor, who is a first-time nominee, was tearful throughout her speech.
“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she said.
“This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone,” she added.
“Shogun” also won best drama series.
John Oliver, who won scripted variety series for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,'' said he was ‘honestly’ happy to get the cue to wrap up when he mentioned his dog during his acceptance speech.
“I’m not well versed in sincerity, as a British person and as a comedian, so I didn’t really want to get upset and thankfully, whoever was on that board, I think said, ‘You can’t carry this off’ and walked me straight into a joke. So, I’m very, very grateful that they gave me the parachute so I could avoid my feelings once more. But yeah, we had a great dog, and we had to say goodbye this week, and it’s brutal,” he said backstage.
In his acceptance, Oliver dedicated his Emmy to his recently deceased dog — and “all dogs.” He quarreled with the play-off music in a bleeped exchange.
Lamorne Morris, star of “Fargo,” is taking home his first Emmy award on his first nomination.
The “New Girl” star was clearly flustered as he accepted the award, saying he has a poster of fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. in his house and asked him to sign it.
“My beautiful daughter, Lily. I love you. I told you I would do it. You’ve always doubted me,” he joked.
The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan added an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a cease-fire.
Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and a release of the Israeli hostages.
Ahead of the premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 28, cast members from the sketch show’s storied history have gathered for an unforgettable reunion.
Former members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers joined current regular Bowen Yang onstage.
The segment leans into the January Emmys’ nostalgia-laden programming, which included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting an award in the style of SNL’s famed “Weekend Update,” along with the casts of “Cheers,” “Martin” and other hit shows reuniting.
Jessica Gunning, who haunts as stalker Martha on “Baby Reindeer,” accepts the Emmy for her performance from a group of actors who have portrayed iconic villains in a fitting pairing. She got emotional as she thanked Richard Gadd, the star and creator of the series.
“I tried so many times to put into words what working on ‘Baby Reindeer’ meant to me and I fail every time,” she said. “It really means a lot. So, thank you, reindeer.”
“Today, a Republican vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done,” Candice Bergen wryly said before presenting the lead actress in a comedy series award.
She was referring to her Murphy Brown character being attacked by then-Vice President Dan Quayle for being a single mom.
Her subsequent “meow” got a big laugh and applause from the audience, including Jon Stewart.
For more on this year’s Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards
Richard Gadd accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Baby Reindeer" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anna Sawai accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hosts Eugene Levy, left, and Dan Levy speak during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
