• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

The Mountain West Is Exploring How To Become the New Pac-12

  • The most commonly discussed idea at the Mountain West is a reverse merger with Oregon State and Washington State, a source told FOS.
  • One of the first steps: determining how to obtain the Pac-12’s intellectual property — a concept which is difficult, but not impossible.
Colorado State’s defense blows up Washington State running back Nakia Watson during the first quarter of the Rams’ first game of the season Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The Rams were defeated 50-24.
Joel Blocker / For the Coloradoan

Officials at Oregon State and Washington State have expressed their desire to rebuild the existing Pac-12. But a version of the conference could still exist in the future even if that effort fails.

Within the Mountain West, the most commonly discussed idea is a reverse merger with Oregon State and Washington State, one source told Front Office Sports. Many in the Mountain West are in favor of renaming the conference the “Pac-12.”

Before Stanford and Cal announced their move to the ACC, Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez told FOS that she was “open to the conversation” of a reverse merger, but said the conference would have to engage in “due diligence.” 

The Mountain West’s legal team will likely consider multiple hurdles.

One of the likely first steps: determining how to obtain the Pac-12’s intellectual property — a concept which is difficult, but not impossible.

When Big East basketball schools broke away from the original “Big East”  in 2013, they were able to retain the rights to the name and create a new conference under that banner.

While the Big East found a new commissioner, the Mountain West could stick with Nevarez — who has previously worked at the Pac-12. Current commissioner George Kliavkoff reportedly isn’t involved in conversations about the next steps for Oregon State and Washington State. One Washington State source reportedly even said they wished Nevarez was their commissioner instead.

With any type of expansion, the Mountain West would have to reimagine its current media deal with Fox and CBS Sports Network, which pay out about $4 million per school per year. In addition to these considerations, however, the Mountain West could explore gaining control of the Pac-12 Networks.

Nevarez previously said a “pro rata” media deal, where networks make additional payments so no one’s shares are diluted with more members, is the starting point for negotiations. But it’s difficult to imagine the conference could negotiate a deal anywhere near the minimum $30 million other Power 4 schools make. Renaming itself the Pac-12 wouldn’t even move the needle, one industry source previously told FOS.

Oregon State and Washington State have potential legal implications as well: They’re currently in line to receive millions of NCAA distributions, as well as a Pac-12 emergency fund, as the conference’s only remaining members in 2024. They won’t want to lose any of that revenue, or have to share it with other schools if a merger succeeds.

A Mountain West-turned-Pac-12 may or may not maintain Power 5 status, however. Committees in the NCAA and College Football Playoff could strip its voting rights and revenue distribution privileges.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

Fox Schedules Michigan State for 11 p.m. ET Kickoff vs. USC

Michigan State–USC will be played at 11 p.m. ET on Sept. 20.
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.

Lachlan Murdoch’s Victory Brings Stability to Fox Sports Rights Future

The network’s status quo is solidified in the complex financial settlement.

Featured Today

opinion

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Tennis
September 5, 2025

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 5, 2025

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls place kicker Nico Gramatica (7), South Florida Bulls long snapper Turner McLaughlin (48) and teammates celebrate after a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

USF Is the Newest Financial Underdog in the AP Top 25

USF’s athletic department brings in half the amount Florida does.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) and linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) shake hands while leaving the field following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7
September 6, 2025

How Ohio State Rebuilt Its NIL Strategy in the Rev-Share Era

The Buckeyes are staying “aggressive” in the new NIL landscape.
September 7, 2025

Oklahoma-Michigan Was a Battle of Dueling QB NIL Philosophies

Bryce Underwood got into a heated exchange with his teammate.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 5, 2025

NIL Go Corrects Its Data From $80M in Deals Cleared to $35M,..

It’s another bump in the rocky rollout of the new NIL clearinghouse.
September 5, 2025

NCAA Headed Toward Single Football Transfer-Portal Window

A new winter window would run Jan. 2–11.
Arch Manning
September 4, 2025

NIL Go Says It Has Cleared $80 Million in NIL Deals So..

NIL collectives, however, say the majority of their deals are in limbo.
Workers set up the stages for the “Fox Big Noon Kickoff” sports show live telecast before Saturday’s Iowa State and Iowa football game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
exclusive
September 3, 2025

Big 12 Embraces Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports

The conference held a call with Portnoy to discuss coverage and collaboration.