Report: Oregon State, Washington State 'finalizing' 2024 football scheduling agreement with Mountain West
Some clarity has been provided regarding the situation between Oregon State and Washington State, and their relationship with the Mountain West Conference.
The Beavers and the Cougars were left holding their umbrella in the rain, as the rest of the Pac-12 jetted to other conferences for 2024. Alas, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported on Tuesday that the duo, affectionately labeled the Pac-2, are finalizing a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West.
“Oregon State, Washington State and the Mountain West are in the final stages of striking a football scheduling agreement for the 2024 season that includes a lucrative financial package for MWC schools, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” Dellenger reported. “The remaining two members of the Pac-12 and the Mountain West are finalizing the long-talked about partnership with an announcement planned in the coming days.
“The agreement, for now just one season, is expected to include a fee of about $14 million paid to the Mountain West.”
Continuing, Dellenger explained in detail how the agreement will work, and whether or not Oregon State and Washington State will be eligible for the MWC Championship Game.
“The alliance is built around what’s termed a ‘7+1’ format where Mountain West teams play seven conference games — not eight — plus one game against either Washington State or Oregon State. There is an option to extend the deal to the 2025 season as well,” Dellenger wrote. “The two Pac-12 members will not be eligible for the MWC championship and will compete as quasi-independents under the Pac-12 banner. Those Mountain West schools with previously scheduled non-conference games against one of the two schools will play the other as well during the same season.
“While there is not expected to be a contractual requirement for a long-term merger between the two entities, there is an intent and understanding of full-time membership for OSU and WSU in the Mountain West or a merger.”
Additionally, Dellenger provided some further insight into how broadcasting rights will work between the entities.
“As for broadcasting rights, Mountain West home games against OSU and WSU will be televised in regular fashion by MWC TV partners Fox and CBS Sports Network,” Dellenger added. “The league will keep the additional media rights revenue from those games to be distributed across the conference.
“Oregon State and Washington State are likely to negotiate separate broadcasting agreements with those networks and potentially others to televise their own home games. The Pac-12’s TV deal with ESPN and Fox ends after this academic year.”
Moreover, Dellenger noted that the agreement is for football only at the moment, but the two sides are open and exploring “a similar scheduling agreement for men’s and women’s basketball, though an agreement is likely weeks away.”
Alas, there’s still much to be figured out for Oregon State and Washington State, but their immediate future has finally been revealed.