• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Oregon State, Washington State Make Contingency Plan as Lawsuit Delayed

  • The latest court ruling confirmed OSU and WSU won’t win control of the conference for at least a month.
  • They’re in the final stages of a “scheduling partnership” with the Mountain West for next year, a report said.
Oregon State and Washington State appear to be making contingency plans to operate as a two-school conference while their lawsuit against the Pac-12 winds through state court.
Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal

Oregon State and Washington State appear to be making contingency plans to operate as a two-school conference next season while their lawsuit against the Pac-12 winds through state court.

A new court filing on Tuesday confirmed that OSU and WSU won’t win control of the conference for at least a month. 

Around the same time that the filing was sent to reporters, news broke that the schools are in the “final stages” of creating a football “scheduling partnership” with the Mountain West for next year. The Pac-2 would shell out $14 million in fees to the Mountain West.

The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its..

The conference’s future rests with a court decision.
November 24, 2023

In September, the schools sued the Pac-12 in order to determine who has control of the conference after the other 10 members signaled their plans to depart next year. 

A judge recently granted a preliminary injunction stating that the “Pac-2” have sole control of the board until a trial can provide a final ruling. The decision effectively granted the schools power of the conference’s assets, liabilities, and intellectual property.

But on Tuesday, Washington’s Supreme Court commissioner issued a decision stating the Pac-2 won’t be able to take control of the conference board until there is another ruling on an appeal in the decision — which won’t come until at least mid-December.

“The decision effectively ensures that all 12 current members will have an equal voice in determining how the revenue our schools earned this year is distributed and utilized while the Court considers our arguments,” the 10 departing schools said in a statement.

The decision cast doubt on the lower court that, per Pac-12 bylaws, the 10 departing schools no longer have eligibility to participate or vote on the conference’s board. “In short, this is a debatable issue,” the commissioner wrote.

In a joint statement, WSU and OSU spokespeople said they were “disappointed” in the ruling. “We did not create or seek these circumstances, but Oregon State and Washington State remain committed to taking aggressive action to protect our universities, ensure accountability and transparency, safeguard student-athletes and the Pac-12 Conference, and preserve our options moving forward,” they said.

The spokespeople added they’ll be seeking a review of the latest decision. 

The schools won’t be able to determine the future of the Pac-12 by the end of the calendar year.

The scheduling partnership with the Mountain West will offer fans, players, and potential recruits and transfers at least some semblance of what their season could look like next year. After all, it will likely pit the schools against programs they could play in a rebuilt Pac-12 — or in the Mountain West if they decide to join the conference.

The Pac-2 will have a grace period to attempt to rebuild an eight-member conference and maintain their FBS eligibility, according to NCAA rules. But because of a recent College Football Playoff decision, they likely won’t be eligible to participate in the expanded 12-team CFP.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
exclusive

Some ESPN Producers Fed Up With McAfee’s ‘Diva’ Behavior: Sources

The “College GameDay” host has powerful allies.
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

CFB’s Chaotic (and Pricey) Coaching Carousel Only Getting Started

Firings have already accounted for roughly $116 million.
Texas Tech tortillas

Texas Tech Is Attempting a Tortilla Crackdown 

Rebellious students are known to smuggle the tortillas in their underwear.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
Jun 10, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; A NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
October 23, 2025

College Athletes Can Bet on Pro Sports Starting in November

An NBA player and coach were charged Thursday in a sports betting investigation.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive
October 24, 2025

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Tony Vitello
October 22, 2025

Tony Vitello’s Stunning MLB Jump Comes With $3M Tennessee Buyout

Vitello heads to San Francisco after winning a national championship in 2024.
Tom Izzo
October 22, 2025

Tom Izzo Rips ‘Ridiculous’ NCAA Move Allowing Former G Leaguers

Michigan State didn’t know an eligibility change had been made, he said.
October 22, 2025

Big 12’s Yormark Defends Slow NIL Go Approvals: ‘That’s Not a Glitch’

Collectives have been starting to pay players without approvals.
BYU
October 20, 2025

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.