Oregon State expresses commitment to Pac-12 after Colorado's future move

Trying to quell any further panic in the Pac-12 offices, Oregon State reiterated its commitment to the athletic conference in the wake of Colorado's impending departure for the Big 12.

Nick Daschel of The Oregonian reports that Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy and athletic director Scott Barnes met with Pac-12 leadership, including embattled commissioner George Kliavkoff, late on Thursday. Both the Pac-12 and OSU released statements in an attempt to reassure observers that the remaining members are committed to the health of the conference, including hopes that a new media rights deal can make all right in their world.

The Beavers have been a part of the Pac-12 since its inception as the Pacific Coast Conference over a century ago. The association has been so long that both the school - once known as Oregon Agricultural College - and conference have gone through name changes and expansion. As a founding member, Oregon State may appear to have linked its reputation with that of a flailing conference, but there have been some reports that it is also looking to jump ship.

Daschel's report notes that OSU could have more to lose than other colleges in the Pac-12:

Oregon State’s future as a Power 5 school could depend on what happens with the Pac-12 and its upcoming media rights deal and expansion opportunities. OSU is among the lowest profiles in the conference, and should the Pac-12 fold, it would be challenging for the school to land in the Big 12, Big Ten or ACC.

The school may be a natural rival to Oregon and their deep association with Nike, but it doesn't compare to the higher-profile universities in its orbit, including their in-state peer. OSU ranked dead last in athletic revenue in the conference for 2022 at a shade over $83 million according to USA Today, while it spent over $87 million in the same year to field their teams. (Oregon brings in over $50 million more, leading the conference.)

Oregon State may profess its love for the Pac-12 out of necessity as its football and men's basketball programs - the major revenue drivers for most Power 5 schools, for better or worse - aren't in the upper echelon of their respective sports. It may not be the ideal dance partner to join Colorado in the Big 12 nor would it be the major get for Group of Five conferences such as the West Coast or Mountain West. Yet conference realignment has made for strange bedfellows before - such as Rutgers and Maryland in the Big Ten.