Big 12 convinced Colorado to join team with $2.5 million signing bonus

LAS VEGAS — Big 12 football coaches are thrilled to have added Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team to the conference.

But it came at a price.

According to documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the Big 12 offered the University of Colorado a $2.5 million signing bonus last year to entice the Buffaloes to leave the Pac-12.

A week after Colorado announced its transition to the Big 12 last summer (July 23), Arizona, Arizona State and Utah also announced they were leaving the Pac-12 for the new 16-team conference.

However, the other three former Pac-12 teams were not offered the same signing bonus.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark provided some clarification on the decision Tuesday, without going into detail, during media days in Las Vegas.

“I’m not going to discuss my negotiating tactics, but listen, we were thrilled that Colorado was the first to make a move,” Yormark told USA TODAY Sports at the Big 12 football media day event. “Ultimately, one (school) got us four, you know, when you think about it. Whatever we did in those negotiations, it worked out pretty well for us.”

More: Oklahoma State Football Coach Mike Gundy: Deion Sanders Brings ‘Notoriety’ to Big 12

It’s unclear whether the Big 12 signing bonus was the sole reason for Colorado’s departure, or whether the university’s decision to join the Big 12 led other Pac-12 schools to follow suit.

What is clear is that the Buffaloes are a welcome addition because of the looks they attract in a conference trying to keep pace with the Big Ten and SEC.

“I think we’re fortunate in our league that he (Sanders) is with us because he brings more people, more awareness and more viewers to the Big 12 Conference,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Tuesday at Big 12 football media days. “That’s what drives it; we need viewership and we want people to watch our teams play.”

“It’ll be fun to have him in our league. It’s fun for me to have Colorado back in our league and be able to compete with him. I can only imagine his level of competition, so it’ll be fun.”

Colorado officially becomes a member of the Big 12 on August 2.

Follow Colorado Buffaloes sports reporter Scott Procter on X.

USA TODAY reporter Brent Schrotenboer contributed to this report.