Sorry...meant to say ANOTHER D1 option. Couldn't figure out how to change the title.
https://www.cincinnati.com/restricted/?return=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/columnists/2021/09/08/sources-cincinnati-bearcats-submit-application-big-12-conference/5770273001/
New team? The Big 12 puts a big emphasis on softball, and UC could be required to eventually add softball as a varsity sport. The Big 12 overall has perennially competed for national championships. As with football, the conference will be looking to fill Oklahoma's void. The Sooners have won five national softball titles, including this year.
It's not currently a requirement for a Big 12 member school to have a softball team. But the conference will be left with five softball-playing schools when Texas and Oklahoma depart.
The additional Big 12 revenue shouldn't make adding softball a problem for UC long-term, but there's currently no room for a softball facility on UC's landlocked campus.
https://www.cincinnati.com/restricted/?return=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/columnists/2021/09/08/sources-cincinnati-bearcats-submit-application-big-12-conference/5770273001/