The Pac-12 is fighting for it’s survival. USC and UCLA bolting for the Big Ten in 2024 has left the remaining ten Pac-12 schools in a state of uncertainty. Additionally, the threats of more Pac-12 is always looming. The Big 12 reportedly looking to poach the Arizona schools and more to firmly position itself behind the SEC and Big Ten as the third best conference. Luckily for Commissioner George Kliavkoff, nothing has come to fruition yet. Conference realignment is back in a holding pattern again. As a result, he has an opportunity to salvage the situation.
Kliavkoff has already gotten started by beginning negotiations for the conference’s next media rights agreements. However, that will only buy a little bit of time as the conference lost a significant amount of bargaining power when USC and UCLA decided to leave. The ultimate key for the Pac-12’s survival is maintaining its College Football Playoff viability. The best way to do that is by strengthening your membership either by picking up new members or aligning with another conference.
Option 1: Pac-12 & ACC Financial Partnership
Reportedly, the two conference are discussing terms for a mutually beneficial relationship. The idea would allow the ACC Network, or a name combining the two conferences, to exclusively broadcast Pac-12 games on the West Coast through ESPN. In theory, this could work. The Pac-12 would be able to escape its self-owned TV network while the ACC could add more value to its future 11-year media rights deal with ESPN. There would also be the stronger likelihood of crossover unique matchups like Clemson-Oregon, Washington-Florida State, etc. This option keeps the current Pac-12 members together by piggy-backing onto another conference’s deal. It is worth noting this option helps the Pac-12 more than the ACC. There is skepticism on whether or not a partnership like this would be financially beneficial enough for ACC to do it.
Option 2: Pac-12 Adds New Members
Ten conference members will not be enough to insure the Pac-12 Conference’s survival. Oregon and Washington are good brand or market schools, but neither are a top tier program like USC. Meanwhile, there isn’t a top tier school available to add outside of Notre Dame, which is extremely unlikely. So, the Pac-12 would have to resort to adding schools like San Diego State, Fresno State, and Boise State from the MWC. These aren’t strong schools, but these are all programs that have proven they could compete at the conference’s level if given the opportunity. This wouldn’t solve the top tier program problem, but it would strengthen the base of the conference. However, Kliavkoff would have to fight and advocate for the conference to maintain its current opportunities with the CFB Playoff.
Option 3: Pac-12 Merges with the Big 12
These conferences are battling for the third spot behind the SEC and Big Ten. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to team up than mutually destroy one another? By merging, the Pac-12 would be able to keep its membership while growing it’s viewership and the Big 12 would gain access to the markets and brands they are currently trying to poach. Together, the two conference would hold 26 schools and would have reach into 10 of Nielsen’s Top 30 media markets. This option keeps the current Pac-12 schools aligned, albeit under different circumstances, while also exposing them to new markets. Plus, their ability to maximize CFB Playoff spots would increase.
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