Pac-12 reportedly on precipice of releasing new media rights deal

The Pac-12 has been lagging behind the likes of the SEC and Big Ten when it comes to both expansion and media rights, but it does sound like commissioner George Kliavkoff's conference is about to take a step up in one of those regards.

With USC and UCLA bolting for the Big Ten in 2024 and more defections to the Big 12 possibly on the way, it was vital for the conference to come up with an attractive media rights deal that will be profitable for the Pac-12 member schools while at the same time providing its teams maximum exposure.

The Big Ten got its seven-year, seven-billion-dollar deal done in the summer of 2022. The SEC put together a massive deal with ESPN set to take effect in 2024 years ago.

According to Heather Dinich of ESPN, the Pac-12 is set to soon release details of its new deal. 

"Our 10 schools have been ridiculously patient," a Pac-12 source told Dinich. "That patience is about to pay off."

The impact of this deal being a strong one can't be understated. Per ESPN, the 10 remaining Pac-12 presidents and chancellors have to sign a grant of rights in order for the conference to remain after USC and UCLA head to the Big Ten. 

Those signatures will "depend on their satisfaction with the new deal," according to Dinich. 

The length of the new grant of rights, and thus the length of the 10 remaining school's commitment to the conference, is expected to be the same length as the new media rights deal—which just underscores how important this is for Kliavkoff to get done.

Once the new deal and grant of rights have been completed, the conference will reportedly look into expanding, though it is worth noting that there could be a benefit in staying at 10 schools as opposed to 16 in regards to the new 12-team College Football Playoff.