The latest Big 12 expansion news came in on February 12th from a source close to the situation. The Chicago based firm, Navigate Research, hired by the Big 12 conference to assess potential additions for the league in conjunction with the launch of a conference television network, had finished their analysis and the University of Connecticut was on the list of recommended additions.

Naturally, there have been inquiries from Big 12 land and a number of them can be summed up by the following question; would UConn really bring the New York City market?

To answer this question, one does not need to look further than SNY. For those that reside outside of the northeast region, SNY or SportsNet New York, is the official television home of the New York Mets, New York Jets and all things New York sports.

SNY is also the official TV home of the UConn Huskies Men’s and Women’s basketball programs, televising over 450 hours of UConn programming annually, including more than 20 live games. Included in those live games, are select football contests; this year’s season opener against Villanova being one of them.

Founded by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, Time Warner and Comcast, SNY is available to viewers throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and northeastern Pennsylvania, and nationally on DIRECTV, Verizon FiOS, Comcast Cable, and AT&T U-Verse.

For television executives at the Manhattan based network, the answer to the question, will UConn bring the New York market, was a resounding, yes. UConn and SNY began their relationship in 2010, focusing on football and men’s basketball coverage. In addition to games, the network produced pre and post-game shows, live, in-studio from Manahattan. Team previews, season recaps and game week football press conferences, broadcast live on-air, were part of the original agreement. Special features, including a Hard Knocks type documentary on UConn football premiered in 2012, during spring football. It was a success.

“SNY’s national footprint was a big selling point with the university,” SNY President Steve Raab said when first partnering with the Huskies. “All that programming is an incredible recruiting tool. We’ve always believed that creating a single destination – one that provides consistency as well as the most comprehensive, in-depth coverage for UConn fans, would result in increased visibility and popularity.”

In time for the 2012-13 season, SNY added more UConn content, paying an additional $4.55M over four years to lock in coverage of the women’s basketball program. That’s $4.55M for just the women’s program. It brought another facet of UConn athletics to the more than 14 million potential viewers.

Last night’s primetime lineup?

6:30 PM – UConn Women’s Pre-game

7:00 PM – UConn Women’s Basketball vs. Cincinnati

9:00 PM – UConn Women’s Post-game

9:30 PM – The Geno Auriemma Show

When the deal was signed to add women’s basketball to the programming already offered, Raab was ecstatic.

“It’s a really complete package,” Raab said. “I don’t know that there is another college program receiving this much attention.”

Ironically, Raab was asked about the deal that the University of Oklahoma had signed with Fox Sports that brought 1,000 hours of sports programming to the local airwaves in the Sooner state.

“That package doesn’t reach 14 million homes,” he responded. “We also own the worldwide rights to the UConn women and don’t have to black out programming, including games, to distributors out of market.”

Ratings have only increased since the partnership expanded to include all three major programs at UConn. In 2014, one women’s basketball game alone, drew a 9.6 market share in the Hartford/New Haven DMA; the Huskies saw an 18% ratings increase on SNY that year.

“We knew we would deliver UConn a broader national audience, but these substantial ratings gains across all of our UConn properties on a local level are another great development,” Raab added. “We are excited about the potential to grow the brand even more as we continue our partnership with the University.”

What is even more impressive is the ratings increases have occurred since the Huskies moved from the Big East, to the perceived, lesser talented and less competitive American Athletic Conference.

As we’ve moved into 2016, the UConn men’s hockey program has begun to receive exposure, with two live simulcasts appearing on SNY, in conjunction with the Hockey East television deal.

As assessments and comparisons among potential candidates continues, SNY is exhibit A of why UConn is the most valuable option when looking at additions in conjunction with a Big 12 Network. Think viewership is good when playing the likes of Tulsa, SMU and Tulane? Imagine the possibilities and exposure in the northeast for Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

NOTE: Quotes from SNY President Steve Raab courtesy of article that appeared on Multi-Channel.com on November 21, 2012.