Pac-12 revival: can the conference reclaim its former glory?

Sophia Yeskulsky | Head Editor

September 13, 2024

Announced on Thursday (9/12), the seemingly dead and forgotten Pac-12 conference would poach 4 Mountain West conference schools in an effort to keep their conference alive.

On August 2, 2024, 10 of the 12 members of the Pac-12 officially departed from the conference in pursuit of more media rights revenue, bigger viewership, and more stability. Washington State and Oregon State were the only 2 members that stayed even though it didn’t seem that there would ever be a Pac-12 college football game ever again. When the 10 teams left, the Pac-12 announced that the departing schools would have $5 million withheld during the 2024 fiscal year for a total of $50 million under the deal announced Monday. The departing schools also will each pay a $1.5 million “supplemental contribution” to the conference that Oregon State and Washington State could use to navigate their uncertain future. Essentially, OSU and WSU were left with a $65 million concession and promise of a share of the bulk of future Pac-12 revenue.

With all of this money, the only thing left to do was attract enough new teams to the Pac-12. Per NCAA rules, to be considered a conference, there needs to be at least eight total teams. It’s safe to say that OSU and WSU were left with the monumental task of revitalizing their ghost conference.

Instead of being absorbed into the Mountain West, they went on a raid. They had more to offer to the top tier of that league than the Mountain West had to offer them. The Pac-12 name alone carries weight, leverage, and most importantly, hope for schools who are trying to move up in the hierarchy—from mid-major conference to high-major. This is why they targeted the Mountain West Conference.

On Thursday (9/12) morning, it was announced that the Pac-12 was poaching four Mountain West schools. Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State applied for Pac-12 membership and they were all accepted. The four won’t officially become Pac-12 members until July 1, 2026.

Since OSU and WSU had a tremendous amount of cash and the name that comes with the Pac-12, the Mountain West heard them knocking on their door. In an effort to get their teams to stay, the Mountain West put in some heavy exit fees to discourage teams from leaving. The departing Mountain West schools are expected to owe $17 million each in exit fees. In addition, the Pac-12 would owe around $43 million for breaching the “no poaching” clause in the Pac-12-Mountain West scheduling agreement.

In the long run, Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and San Diego State knew that they would receive more money and exposure in the Pac-12 than they would have gotten for staying in the Mountain West. Being four of the highest revenue-generating schools in the Mountain West, this was a chance for them to distance themselves from the other low-level schools. Senior Haaken Quade felt that “this is a chance for them [the 4 teams] to establish themselves as high-level programs that deserve the spotlight.” In addition, another key driver in leaving the Mountain West centers on media rights. The Mountain West’s deal with ESPN and CBS Sports, which is up in 2026, distributes around $5 million on average annually to its members. In the Pac-12, teams are confident that media coverage deals could be upwards of $15 million for each team.

It’s safe to say that at least 2 more teams will join the Pac-12, but who would they be?

It would be convenient to have the University of California and Stanford University return, however, they both signed ACC grants of rights, tying them to the conference through 2036. If they went back to the Mountain West, UNLV and Air Force would be the next to leave. Another option would be Tulane or Memphis, they both have successful track records and a larger television market.

While the Pac-12’s resurrection may have seemed impossible just months ago, the bold moves by Oregon State and Washington State have shown that with the right strategy and determination, even a conference on the brink of collapse can find new life. Senior Mackenzie Jamison reminisced on the old Pac-12 and explained that she was “glad that it [the Pac-12] is making a comeback”. The addition of Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State is just the beginning.

The Pac is Back.