On August 4, 2023, the Big Ten Conference finalized a deal with the University of Oregon and the University of Washington for the two schools to join the athletic conference. A unanimous vote is to take place by the Big Ten to accept the two schools into the conference. The move would push the Big Ten to 18 teams by the 2024-25 season, with Oregon and Washington joining other former PAC-12 schools USC and UCLA.
Previously, just a day before, the University of Arizona looked to finalize a deal with the Big 12 Conference, to leave the PAC-12 as well. Arizona's move follows a July 27 deal, where the University of Colorado would also elect to join the Big 12 Conference for the 2024-25 season.
The looming threat of PAC-12 schools continuing to leave their conference led PAC-12 presidents to form a meeting the morning of August 4. CBS Sports explains, "There was a grant of rights contract presented to the universities in hopes of securing a new media deal that could keep the conference together in some form, though nothing was signed." This media deal with Apple was presented earlier in the week, awarding each school around $20 million in incentives each year. However, CBS Sports points out that the Big 12's contrasting media deal with ESPN and Fox gives each school around $32 million annually.
In the wake of Arizona, Oregon, and Washington having left the PAC-12, the remaining PAC-12 schools now stand at Cal, Arizona State, Oregon State, Utah, Stanford, and Washington State. Most reports believe Arizona State and Utah to be next up in a move to the Big 12, with ESPN noting that the two schools "have been more conservative in their approach, but sources said the tenor on that has changed recently with the flurry of events." Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reports a "substantial sentiment within the Arizona and Arizona State athletic departments that a conference sever between the programs is both undesired and unlikely", leading most to believe Arizona State will follow in Arizona's footsteps in the conference move.
The PAC-12 has been cut in half, now to a measly 6 members within months. With the possibility of two more schools leaving as well, independence or a merger are expected for the final programs. CBS Sports states, "A merger of sorts with the Mountain West -- for two or perhaps all four programs -- and/or potential independence would likely be the only remaining options."
The era of superconferences in college sports is upon us, and it all begins with the Big 12 and Big Ten. Some writers encourage the formation of superconferences, however. Take CBS Sports Radio's Jack Stern, who believes "it's time to consider a complete makeover for how various schools are grouped together."
"Similar to how the sport has allowed student-athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness," Stern states, "it's time for a reshuffling of the deck that pairs programs based on record. And, if nothing else, it'd eliminate the rhetorical question of "What if?" when wondering how schools would fare against each other."
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