The future of the PAC-12 is still a bit uncertain, but our understanding of the situation is getting clearer each week! Interestingly, the realignment and rebuilding process for the PAC-12 has calmed down over the past couple of months. After a whirlwind of lawsuits and media announcements, the PAC-12 seems to be taking a breather. With just one team shy of full conference status, we’ve been eagerly anticipating the final announcement for months now. Many believe that Texas State may be the last addition to revitalize the PAC-12. Nonetheless, the uncertainty surrounding the media rights deal makes it tricky to know exactly what the PAC-12's options are at this point. Plus, with a pending lawsuit against the Mountain West still hanging in the air, there are plenty of questions swirling around the PAC. There are still some key aspects of this conversation waiting to be resolved. At the top of the list is the media rights deal. With intriguing contenders like Apple, TNT/ Warner Bros. Discovery, and even the CW in the mix, it's still up in the air how many and which networks will be hosting PAC-12 games in 2026. However, the bigger question for these schools might be how much they can secure. An area that Jon Wilner, a writer for the San Diego Union Tribune, broke down recently:
With anticipated returns from a TV deal ranging from $7 million to $12 million, the PAC-12 finds itself trailing behind all other power conferences. Yet even at the lower end, $7 million, the PAC-12 stands among the top of the group of conferences, creating a unique position that balances between power conference and group conference. This situation might just give them some great leverage in their pursuit of new members. Teams such as Memphis, Tulane, and South Florida are some of the schools that the PAC-12 has previously shown interest in. Securing just a few extra million dollars could significantly sway these schools to join the PAC-12 family.
However, not everyone believes that the PAC-12 should follow the same expansionist path as many of its peers. Elizabeth Cantwell, the new president of Washington State University, expresses a desire for “A successful, at least high mid-tier conference, that doesn’t send student-athletes all over the country,” adding, “Let’s say west of the Mississippi … or let’s say on the Mississippi. "
This perspective reflects the ongoing theme of PAC-12 realignment- a careful balancing act between these universities' athletic aspirations and the need to maintain a regional presence. So far, with the exciting addition of six other universities, including Gonzaga, San Diego State, Boise State, Utah State, and Colorado State, they have skillfully navigated this delicate balance. However, with the region nearly tapped out for eligible or available Division I universities, the PAC-12 might need to expand its reach even further.
Currently, that’s where things stand with the PAC-12. News has been a bit sparse. We haven’t heard much recently about the Mountain West and PAC-12 lawsuit, with the last update being a motion to stay for 60 days, allowing the parties to mediate the case. Since then, it’s been quiet regarding the millions in dispute between the two. Mediation likely suggests that we might see a resolution similar to the settlement involving Florida State and Clemson with the ACC, but we’ll have to wait and see. Regardless of the lawsuit's outcome, it could significantly impact the future of both programs.
With everything still unfolding, we’ll make sure to keep you posted on any updates that come our way in the next few weeks. For now, it seems like we’re in that " hurry up and wait " phase again, which can be a bit annoying, especially for all of us following the PAC-12's situation.