Pac-12 announces 5-year media rights deal with USA Sports

The Pac-12’s media rights package continues to come together. Thursday morning, the league announced a five-year deal with USA Sports.

As part of the agreement, the Pac-12 will be the “the premier college sports offering on USA Network” starting in 2026-27 when the deal takes effect. USA Sports will carry 22 regular-season football games, 50 regular-season men’s basketball games and 5-10 women’s basketball games each season.

SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter

Additionally, USA Sports will carry Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament games before CBS airs the championship game. Octagon served as an advisor during the Pac-12’s talks with USA, just as it did during conversations with CBS and The CW.

“The new Pac-12 is where tradition meets transformation – a unique opportunity in the rapidly-evolving college sports landscape that strongly aligns with the go-forward vision of USA Sports,” said commissioner Teresa Gould in a statement. “We are thrilled to launch this partnership with the USA Sports team and leverage our shared vision to build something unique and special.” 

USA Sports is the latest addition to the Pac-12’s portfolio of media rights partners as the conference continues its rebuild. CBS is set to be the league’s primary media partner when the deal starts in 2026, and The CW will also be part of the future plan. By adding USA Sports, all Pac-12 football games will be on linear television when the agreement takes effect.

“USA Sports is proud to partner with the new Pac-12 and showcase the league to a national audience on USA Network,” said USA Sports president Matt Hong in a statement. “Our partnership further establishes USA Network as a destination for all sports fans, with weekends packed with Pac-12 football doubleheaders and men’s and women’s basketball double- and triple-headers beginning next fall.”

The 2025 season marks the second with just Oregon State and Washington State as conference members. They squared off once this year – a 10-7 Wazzu victory – in front of an average of 823,000 viewers on CBS, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data obtained by On3. The two teams will play the second game of a rare in-season home-and-home on Nov. 29.

In 2026, the Pac-12 will add Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State will as full members. Gonzaga is also coming aboard, but does not sponsor football.