After latest realignment moves, which other schools will the Pac-12 try to scoop up?

The Pac-12 is back.

Well, almost.

The “Conference of Champions” is on the way to rebuilding, starting with the acquisition Thursday of four Mountain West schools: Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State. They will begin play in the new league in fall of 2026.

That gets Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould to six members with Oregon State and Washington State. She needs at least two more additions to reach the NCAA’s minimum threshold to qualify as an FBS conference, and she has only a matter of months to do it. The Pac-12 must reach eight members by July 2026, the end of the NCAA’s two-year grace period that allows a league to reestablish itself.

That seems like a long time. In the world of such massive and costly moves, it is not. The Pac-12 would prefer to have its full membership during negotiations for a new television deal, something they’d probably like to get solidified sooner rather than later. Any TV network would prefer to know what they’re buying before they buy it.

In its statement announcing the new additions Thursday, the Pac-12 provided criteria for additional new members. But as is often the case, brand power, on-field success and television markets will move the needle more than anything. That said, there are other factors to consider, such as total membership number. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin and take on programs that don’t add enough value.

Remember, television contracts serve as the biggest revenue generator for athletic departments. You must distribute television money — often evenly — to your members. With each new member, you decrease the amount of the whole.

EUGENE, OREGON – MAY 23: The Pac-12 Conference logo on the Autzen Stadium football field on the campus of the University of Oregon on May 23, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon (Photo by Kirby…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/after-latest-realignment-moves-which-other-schools-will-the-pac-12-try-to-scoop-up-182233033.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-12 18:22:33

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.