As the Big Ten looks to keep expanding, some in the industry are reportedly concerned about the Pac-12’s sustainability.
After announcing the addition of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, commissioner Kevin Warren is looking to add a new media rights deal to the conference’s seven-year, $8 billion deal it struck in August, which is expected to payout an annual $75 million to each school.
Should an offer be significant enough — it’s believed to be less than $100 million annually — it is speculated that the Big Ten’s presidents would see the value in also adding four more Pac-12 schools: California, Oregon, Stanford, and Washington.
That would leave only six schools in the Pac-12 — which could then dwindle down to two and collapse.
“If that [Big Ten move] happens, I think the other [four Pac-12] schools will want to jump to our league,” a Big 12 source told CBS Sports.
Outlets reported earlier in the year that Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah were in discussions to join the Big 12. Commissioner Brett Yormark told reporters he is interested in expanding west, ”entering that fourth time zone.”
- The Big 12’s current media deal extends until 2025.
- The conference is losing Texas and Oklahoma but is adding Cincinnati, UCF, Houston, and BYU in 2023.
Down But Not Out
The Pac-12 is trying to stay intact. Commissioner George Kliavkoff previously said the conference started media rights negotiations earlier than expected.
Its current deal ends in 2024.
