Big 12 officially adds 4 new members to conference: ‘Big day’

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The Big 12 Conference officially added four teams Saturday as the calendar turned to July 1.

Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF join the conference nearly two years after Big 12 presidents voted to expand the league. 

"It’s July 1. Big day," Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said. "Big day for the Big 12 Conference, our fans. Welcome UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, BYU." (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images/File)

"It’s July 1. Big day," Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said. "Big day for the Big 12 Conference, our fans. Welcome UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, BYU. We are so thrilled to have you in the conference. We’ve waited a long time for this moment. Can’t wait to be on campus this fall. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Glad to have you in the Big 12."

4-STAR WIDE RECEIVER USES INFANT SON TO ANNOUNCE USC COMMITMENT

The Big 12 is preparing to play the upcoming season with 14 teams before Texas and Oklahoma depart for the SEC in 2024.

Yormark said Thursday he would ideally like to keep the conference at 14 teams but would be OK with 12. 

A flag displaying the Cincinnati Bearcats and Big 12 logos is shown during the game between Murray State and Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on September 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I do think there’s strength in numbers, but if we end up being at 12, that’s great," Yormark said during an interview on "BYU Sports Nation." "I’d like to stay at 14, even with the departures of Texas and Oklahoma, candidly. We’ll see if that’s a possibility or not, but I love 12. I love the current makeup moving forward. In fact, I’m thrilled with it."

"We’re