A Quiet Rule Change Is Coming to Big 12 Game Days

The Big 12 will begin issuing public availability reports for football and basketball games starting this season, according to a report from On3’s Brett McMurphy.

This move brings the league in line with the rest of the Power Four, as the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC have all adopted similar policies within the past two years.

For football, Big 12 programs will provide player status updates starting three days before kickoff. Reports will use a tiered format that includes available, probable, questionable, doubtful, or out. A final report will be submitted 90 minutes before game time. In basketball, the format will be simpler, with teams designating players as available, game-time decision, or out.

This marks a significant shift in transparency across college athletics. The Big Ten began requiring reports in 2023. The SEC followed in 2024, and the ACC will debut its own system this fall. Each league has tailored its rollout slightly, but all now require some form of public injury or availability reporting for conference contests.

The push for transparency is tied closely to the rise in sports betting and concerns about athlete safety. By standardizing information and reducing backchannel leaks, leagues hope to protect players from outside pressure while also preserving competitive integrity.

For the Big 12, this policy not only matches its peers but reinforces a commitment to aligning with evolving expectations across college sports. It also sends a clear message to fans, media, and gambling regulators: availability information will no longer exist in a gray area.

As the conference prepares for another season of high-stakes football and basketball, this new layer of transparency could quickly become a permanent fixture.