In recent months, the landscape of college athletics has experienced significant upheaval. As conferences continuously explore expansion opportunities, the Pac-12 finds itself at a critical juncture. With the Big Ten actively considering the addition of Oregon and Washington to its ranks, the future of the Pac-12 hangs in the balance.
Already facing the departure of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, the Pac-12 has seen two of its most prominent institutions poised to join the Midwestern powerhouse. The countdown to their departure is well underway, leaving the conference without its most lucrative sources of revenue. Furthermore, Colorado has announced its intention to join the Big 12 in 2024, further eroding the Pac-12’s foundation.
As of now, the Pac-12 comprises Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Utah, Stanford, and Cal. These institutions find themselves standing amidst significant uncertainty and potential upheaval.
The Big 12 is currently voting on whether to admit Arizona, Arizona State, and possibly Utah into its conference. The individual universities themselves have already made their intentions clear, voting to move away from the Pac-12. Should this be approved, the Pac-12 risks losing two more of its cash cow institutions. There is also speculation surrounding the potential departure of Oregon and Washington, with the Big Ten reportedly exploring the addition of these teams.
Given the tenuous situation, the Pac-12 is left with limited options to salvage its future. One possibility is attempting to reunite all the remaining schools under the previously rumored Apple TV+ deal. Though not the most lucrative option, it may provide some stability to the conference. Additionally, the Pac-12 could consider reaching out to San Diego State, a school that had previously explored joining the conference, to gauge their interest in a potential partnership.
Another option for the Pac-12 is to simply wait and observe the developments surrounding Oregon and Washington. The Big Ten may be hesitant to expand further unless the Pac-12 continues to crumble. By biding their time, the Pac-12 hopes to maintain a united front and dissuade any additional teams from leaving.
Critics point out that the Big Ten should abandon its ostensible academic standards and admit that conferences are primarily driven by financial considerations. The pursuit of revenue and football dominance should be acknowledged openly to foster transparency and realistic decision-making.
If Oregon and Washington indeed depart for the Big Ten, their share of the revenue will be smaller than previously anticipated. While still potentially more substantial than what the Pac-12 can offer, this will undoubtedly affect the financial landscape of the conference.
The post “The Uncertain Future of the Pac-12: A Closer Look at Realignment” first appeared on the European News Global.
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