The Fourth Corner School is in!
The University of Arizona signs on for 99 years, but does not give the Big 12 a "no-tampering" warranty.
The University of Arizona is the last of the four corner schools to provide their Big 12 Admission Agreement. They executed their agreement with the Big 12 on September 1, 2023, making them the second of the four. Colorado was first (July 31), ASU was third (September 26) and Utah brought up the rear (September 28). The full agreement is available to download at the bottom. Arizona redacted the Grant of Rights language, but you can find that language in the agreements of the other Pac-12 additions.
The key differences in the Big 12 Admissions Agreement between Arizona and the other three schools are 1) the commitment length 2) the warranty regarding discussions with the Big 12 before joining the conference, and 3) the signing bonus (or lack thereof).
Commitment
Arizona agrees to be bound by all Big 12 conditions for acceptance (as did ASU and Colorado), including the 99-year membership requirement specified in the Big 12 Bylaws.
Utah’s Exemption from the 99-year membership term:
Warranty on Tampering by the Big 12
Arizona’s language on Current Conference Affiliation is identical to ASU’s with the exception of the language highlighted in yellow. Arizona and ASU are silent initiating contact with the Big 12 regarding their prospective membership. Utah addresses the topic, but is not definitive. Colorado is clear it made the initial contact with the Big 12 (as did Cincinnati in a prior round of realignment).
Utah seems to skip the part about who made first contact. While Colorado and UC state definitively that they made first contact.
Signing Bonus
It is in the title, but not in the text—no signing bonus for Arizona. Colorado was the only school to receive the bonus.
Arizona’s Admission Agreement to the Big 12
