• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, May 6, 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

Fubo-TV

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.

Stephen A. Smith for President? Trump Says He’d ‘Love to See Him..

Smith has publicly flirted with an Oval Office run for months.

Featured Today

Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
Mint juelps
May 3, 2025

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
April 28, 2025

Quinn Ewers Bet on NFL Over NIL—and Left Millions on the Table

The Dolphins picked Ewers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Shaquille O'Neal
April 28, 2025

Shaq Taking GM Role at Sacramento State

The news comes amid the school’s push for FBS status.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
April 25, 2025

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.
Ole Miss
April 24, 2025

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.
Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
April 24, 2025

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
April 24, 2025

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.