So far, the word coming out of the Pac-12 has been the same: no current members have any plans to leave the conference, which seems to have put the recent historic college football realignment and expansion process on hold. But with the Pac-12 still courting a new media deal, that solidarity may not be fully guaranteed going forward.
Presidents at Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado have all gone on the record saying that their schools have no plans to depart the Pac-12, especially while the league is hard at work looking for a new deal from potential media partners, but their statements also seemed to leave open the possibility that their future membership depends in large part on the kind of contract the conference can get.
ESPN college football reporter Dusty Dvoracek spoke with Pac-12 football coaches during their recent meeting in Arizona, and all eyes are on what conference commissioner George Kliavkoff can get done.
"These 10 schools want to get a deal done. They want to stay together. But the money's gotta be right," Dvoracek said, via KWTV.
"And with the Big 12 putting together a package that's gonna pay each of its schools $31.7 million a year when it kicks in, that's what these Pac-12 presidents expect. Something in the ballpark of $30 million per year for their member institutions."
ESPN and Fox have both declined to take part in showing Pac-12 games in the future as primary rights holders, according to most media reports, though other insiders contend that ESPN may still technically be in the mix, leaving the conference with the possibility of making a pitch to other networks and streaming platforms.
College football insider Pete Thamel has reported that the Pac-12 could have a deal in place by late this spring or early in the summer.
Moreover, insiders continue to hint that major Pac-12 members have not completely closed down the lines of communication to rival conferences recently.
"We know Oregon, Washington, they're looking at the Big Ten. The Arizona schools, Colorado, Utah, they're looking, talking with the Big 12," Dvoracek said.
"Everybody's just waiting with bated breath. Can George Kliavkoff get a deal done? If he can, the Pac-12 is gonna stay together. If he can't get a deal done... there's gonna be a lot more movement and expansion. That could be great news for the Big 12."
(KWTV)
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