• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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

Big 12 Closing In On Potential $500M Private Capital Deal

The era of private capital in college sports has fully arrived.
Jul 22, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC commissioner Jim Phillips speaks to the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown.

ACC Commissioner: We Can’t ‘Push Aside’ PE Conversations

His comments came a day after a landmark deal with University of Utah.

More Teams Skipping Bowl Games—and Notre Dame Is the Headliner

Notre Dame criticized the ACC and ESPN’s weekly CFP rankings shows.
Notre Dame
opinion

Notre Dame’s Bowl Boycott Is a Direct Shot at ESPN

The Irish are lashing out against the CFP and ESPN, sources say.

Featured Today

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena
December 13, 2025

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.

College Football QB Carousel: Who’s Staying, Who’s Heading to Portal?

Florida’s DJ Lagway headlines this year’s list of transferring quarterbacks.
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Warde Manuel, Michigan Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics on the field prior to a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
December 12, 2025

Michigan Scandals Under Athletic Director Warde Manuel

The athletic director has led the Wolverines since 2016.
December 14, 2025

Michigan Orders Sweeping Probe Into Athletic Department Scandals

The school retains a Chicago law firm to explore department culture and practices.
Sponsored

Brian Hoyer: Patriots Lessons, NIL Chaos & His Post-NFL Career

The former Patriots QB talks to FOS about college football’s radical transformation.
December 12, 2025

Sherrone Moore Charged With Felony Home Invasion After Michigan Firing

Moore was detained by police on Wednesday.
Dec 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) reacts after a play against the California Baptist Lancers during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center.
December 12, 2025

The Private Equity ‘Boogeyman’ Shows Up at Utah

Lawmakers are skeptical of the University of Utah’s groundbreaking agreement.
Charlie Baker
December 12, 2025

The Fight Over College Sports Comes Down to 3 Choices

In Las Vegas this week, administrators discussed a list of potential solutions.
Biff Poggi
December 11, 2025

Michigan’s Interim Football Coach Is a Hedge Fund Millionaire

Biff Poggi has been called the program’s “consigliere.”