IRVING, Texas-Per news released Friday Houston, Cincinnati and Central Florida will officially join BYU as new members of the Big 12 Conference in 2023.

The BYU Cougars had committed to join at this time well before Friday’s news but the other schools, who are in the American Athletic Conference presently, reached a deal with the AAC to join the Big 12 July 1, 2023.

ESPN reported the three schools will pay $18 million to depart from the AAC a year earlier than expected.

These payments are to be spread over 12 installments from 2025-2036.

BYU previously paid a $500,000 fee, under league bylaws, to leave the West Coast Conference to join the Big 12.

All of the BYU Cougars’ athletic programs other than football presently compete in the WCC.

For the time being, Texas and Oklahoma will remain in the Big 12 as they will depart for the SEC in 2025.

The AAC will add UAB, Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice and Texas-San Antonio to replace the departing schools.