• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 18, 2025

Big 12, Pac-12 ‘Would Make More Working Together’

  • Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormak declared that the “Big 12 is open for business.”
  • One sports executive things the leagues would make more working together than separately.
Big-12
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormak declared last week that the “Big 12 is open for business.”

USC and UCLA announced last month that they would be leaving the Pac-12. With Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 before the 2025 season, a merger between the conferences is becoming more realistic. 

The Big 12 is adding four new schools next year, with another six Pac-12 schools reportedly interested. But even with the new schools, outgoing Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby testified last year that Texas and Oklahoma brought in 50% of the rights value to the league.

“Now you have the Pac-12, which has less of [a] valued rights deal than any Power 5 group,” said Bobby Hacker, a West Coast attorney and sports media consultant. “They’ve now lost the L.A. market.”

  • In 2012, former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott signed a 12-year deal, keeping the conference at below-market valuation.
  • With the addition of USC and UCLA, the new Big Ten deal is expected to be $1.2 billion per year. The Pac-12 would have to increase their rights by around $600 million annually to receive half of the Big Ten’s earnings.

Media Matters 

“Both leagues would make more by working together than they would separately,” former Fox Sports executive Patrick Crakes said. The Pac-12’s media rights deal is up sooner than the Big 12’s.

Hacker believes the league is focused on media, claiming that “college sports is now completely controlled by ESPN and Fox.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Barstool-Fox Deal Shows NFL’s Portnoy Cold War Is Thawing

The Barstool-Fox alliance is a signal of how times have changed.

ESPN Bidding Against NBC, Apple for MLB Rights Package

The league continues to negotiate with multiple media-rights bidders.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
July 16, 2025

President Trump Is Actively Working on an NIL-Related Executive Order

It’s unclear what the executive order would include.
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway walks off the court after losing to Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena.
July 17, 2025

Memphis Basketball and Softball Placed on NCAA Probation

Memphis has had multiple NCAA issues since hiring Penny Hardaway.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 16, 2025

Alabama’s New Era Contends With NIL—and Nick Saban Rumors

Kalen DeBoer is entering his second season as head coach.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
July 15, 2025

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
July 15, 2025

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.