Big 12 and USF Could Be Linked Together In The Future

The Big 12 is in pursuit of a landmark private equity partnership has reshaped the national expansion conversation, and few schools sit closer to the center of that movement than the University of South Florida. Multiple business outlets report that the conference is in advanced negotiations on a deal worth up to $500 million, involving RedBird Capital Partners and Tampa‑based Weatherford Capital, through their co‑investment platform Collegiate Athletic Solutions.

The proposal would create a new commercial arm for the Big 12 while offering each member school access to a $30 million line of credit. The conference would not give up equity, but it would gain a long‑term strategic partnership with two of the most aggressive investment firms in sports.

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For USF, the connection is direct. Weatherford Capital was co‑founded by Will Weatherford, chair of the USF Board of Trustees and one of the most influential business figures in Florida. His firm’s role in the negotiations has fueled widespread speculation that the Bulls are better positioned than ever for a future Big 12 invitation.

USF is no longer a “regional” brand. In the last 18 months, the Bulls have become one of the fastest‑rising national profiles in both football and men’s basketball and that dual‑sport relevance is exactly what modern conferences

Why Weatherford’s Role Matters

Weatherford’s dual presence in Tampa’s business community and USF’s governance structure places the Bulls in a unique position. While the Big 12 has not formally announced expansion plans tied to the deal, the optics are impossible to ignore. A USF trustee helping engineer the conference’s largest financial partnership to date naturally elevates the school’s visibility.

Multiple media outlets including Sports Talk Florida reports that the Big 12’s talks with RedBird and Weatherford Capital are expected to conclude soon, with the deal projected to deliver up to $500 million in new capital. Our friends at Front Office Sports adds that the proposal includes retainer fees, commissions and a revenue‑sharing structure, signaling a long‑term business alignment rather than a one‑off cash infusion.

A recent report by Heartland College Sports further notes that the negotiations have accelerated, with new details emerging weekly as the conference positions itself for future growth.

What This Means for USF

USF already checks the traditional expansion boxes: a top‑25 media market, a new on‑campus stadium, strong academics and a rising athletic department. But the private equity connection adds a new dimension. It ties the Bulls to the Big 12 not just competitively, but financially and strategically.

In an era where conferences are becoming commercial enterprises, relationships with capital partners matter. And USF is uniquely connected to one of the firms driving the Big 12’s next phase.

The Bigger Picture

This deal signals a shift in how college conferences operate. Private equity is no longer circling college sports; it is now embedded in its future. The Big 12 is positioning itself as the first major conference to fully embrace that model, and USF is positioned closer to the center of that movement than any other non‑member.

Whether expansion follows remains to be seen, but the business ties are undeniable. And in modern college athletics, business often drives the next realignment move.