• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 26, 2026

Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 Alliance Imminent

  • The Big Ten, ACC, and Pac-12 have been discussing an alliance.
  • A formal announcement is expected in the next week.
Anderson Independent Mail-USA TODAY Sports /Design: Alex Brooks

The Big Ten, ACC, and Pac-12 conferences are expected to formally announce an alliance in the next week, according to a report by ESPN. 

Last month, the three NCAA conferences began discussing an alliance that would coordinate scheduling, approaches to NCAA governance, and possibly playoff alignment. 

The potential decision to align the three Power 5 conferences follows the SEC bolstering its roster by adding Texas and Oklahoma, which will join from the Big 12 in 2025. 

Commissioners from the Pac-12, ACC, and Big Ten want to consolidate power and compete with the SEC’s dominance as it becomes a 16-team conference.  

  • Next month, the three conferences and the SEC will meet to discuss an expanded College Football Playoff. 
  • ESPN currently holds the media rights for the tournament on a $5.6 billion deal that runs from 2014 to 2025.  

For now, the Big 12 has yet to be invited to the party. 

The conference, which will dwindle to eight schools when Texas and Oklahoma depart, could still seek expansion or an alliance with another conference. 

The Big 12 and Pac-12 previously held exploratory discussions regarding a strategic partnership.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 23, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; UConn Huskies Forward Serah Williams (22) shoots a layup against Syracuse Orange Forward Aurora Almon (0) during the first half of the second round game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

4 Schools Cash In As Men’s and Women’s Teams Reach Sweet 16

Duke, Connecticut, Michigan, and Texas are thriving in both tournaments.

Big 12 Ditches LED Court Mid-Tourney After Player Concerns

Widespread player complaints helped lead to the mid-tournament switch.
White House Trump college sports roundtable

Trump Says He’ll Issue Second Executive Order on College Sports

“The executive order is going to let colleges survive and players survive.”
Big 12

Players Say Big 12 Tournament’s LED Court Is Slick and Slippery

ASB GlassFloor’s technology is making its U.S. debut in Kansas City.

Featured Today

Maxime Vachier Lagrave

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.

North Carolina Fires Hubert Davis, Will Pay $5.3 Million Buyout

The school said Tuesday night it would honor the coach’s contract.
March 23, 2026

Sweet 16 Runs Show Veteran Coaches Are Still Thriving in the NIL Era

Five of the NCAA’s Sweet 16 coaches are 67 or older.
March 24, 2026

How March Madness Turns Into a Mid-Major Coaching Raid

The carousel has already led more than half a dozen coaches to new homes.
Sponsored

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
March 23, 2026

Darryn Peterson Says ‘Mind Stuff’ Derailed Bizarre College Season

Peterson would not confirm whether he was declaring for the NBA draft.
March 22, 2026

This Year’s Cinderellas Aren’t Really Cinderellas—and They’re Rich

Texas, Iowa, and St. John’s all have more resources than previous underdogs.
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Owen Aquino (8) blocks the shot of Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center
March 20, 2026

Mid-Majors Use March Madness to Lobby for High-Major Matchups

Underdog programs want—and need—more games against high-major teams.
Vanderbilt Commodores forward Tyler Nickel (5) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during a first-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between McNeese and Vanderbilt at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, March 19, 2026.
March 20, 2026

Not Just Football: Vanderbilt Sports Surge Hits March Madness

The men’s basketball team earned its first NCAA tournament win since 2012.