Report: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF negotiating settlement to join Big 12 in 2023

Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF are negotiating a settlement to exit the American Athletic Conference early and officially join the Big 12 on July 1, 2023, sources told Action Network's Brett McMurphy.

The deal will reportedly be worth between $17 million and $20 million. The AAC initially sought $35 million from each school to leave early for the Big 12, adds McMurphy.

It was initially uncertain if Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF would join the Big 12 in 2023 or 2024; AAC bylaws require departing teams to provide 27 months' notice, meaning a settlement had to be reached for an early exit.

The official exit deal for Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF will allow the AAC to welcome the six Conference USA schools - Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA - on the same date.

BYU, an independent, will officially join the Big 12 next season.

The Big 12 is expanding after Texas and Oklahoma's stunning decision to leave for the SEC. The Longhorns and Sooners will play in the Big 12 until 2025, giving the conference 14 members, barring a settlement.