Report: Is the Pac-12 on the Verge of Collapse?
Since USC and UCLA very publicly defected from the Pac-12 to the Big-10, conference alignment talk has been on overdrive.
And perhaps now it’s starting to feel like it’s on repeat.
On Wednesday morning CBS Sports Senior Writer Dennis Dodd had another opinion on the matter.
Dodd believes, like many, the Big-10 is not done expanding. And that its pursuit is heavily focused on some remaining Pac-12 schools. That includes Oregon, Stanford, Washington and Cal. With Notre Dame being an unknown at the moment.
Dodd also believes Big-10 commissioner Kevin Warren is trying to attract a media partner, like Amazon, to lure these programs into the conference.
“An offer deemed substantial enough would likely convince Big Ten presidents that California, Oregon, Stanford and Washington would be valuable additions to the league from the Pac-12. That figure is believed to be less than $100 million annually.”
If this move were to happen, as many have noted, that would likely signal an end to the Pac-12 conference. The Big-12 is waiting to swoop in on some remaining properties to expand its conference.
“If the Big Ten makes such a move, it would almost certainly increase the likelihood the Big 12 is able to get some combination of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah from the Pac-12, thus crushing the Pac-12 and hanging Oregon State and Washington State out to dry.”
If these moves were to happen as predicted, it might mean a move to the Mountain West for leftovers Oregon State and Washington State per Dodd.
“Industry chatter has Oregon State and Washington State moving to the Mountain West if the Pac-12 collapses. At that point, the MWC would replace the Pac-12 as the largest FBS conference completely located in the Mountain and Pacific Time Zones.”
Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff recently wrote a very strong letter to the UC Board of Regents trying to block UCLA’s move to the Big-10.
“In a letter provided to the University of California Board of Regents ahead of a closed-door session Thursday to discuss UCLA‘s proposed move to the Big Ten conference, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff detailed “significant concerns” he had with the move, including its effect on student-athlete mental health, increased travel and operational costs, and negative impacts on both Cal’s revenue and the UC system’s climate goals.”
