The Pac-12 is expected to add San Diego State and possibly SMU soon
Just a couple weeks ago, both the Big 12 and Pac-12 found themselves at the same resort in Phoenix and it wasn't to exchange pleasantries.
The two conferences met for the same reasons, but they are both in far different situations; expansion. The Big 12 feels as if they hold all the right cards in their hands due to the fact that they have not only secured a media rights deal already, but were able to expand and make up for the loss of Texas and Oklahoma. The conference now extends from Utah to Florida, and has their sight's set on entering more time zones as well.
The Pac-12 on the other hand is much further behind the eight ball, as they too have lost their two marquee programs but haven't been able to put together a deal or expand.
Now, we all are well aware that the Pac-12 is planning or at least hoping to expand once they get a media rights deal locked in. However, securing that deal hasn't been the easiest of processes, with names like ESPN, Fox, Apple, ION, CW, Apple, and Amazon all at one point being linked to the Pac-12. We do know that Amazon and the conference pairing is 'very unlikely', and while there have been extremely conflicting reports about ESPN, they are still in.
On the bright side for the Pac-12, the conference has gotten a decree of loyalty from every member which should help attract other programs to the conference. No one wants to jump onto a sinking ship, so public support from all of the universities, especially the four corner schools is a big deal. Expansion is something that according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger, should be happening soon.
One thing is certain: The Pac-12 plans to expand by adding San Diego State and maybe SMU coinciding with its completion of a new TV deal.
There is however a little bit of a time crunch working against the Pac-12, explained Dellenger.
... there is a deadline. To start play in 2024, San Diego State owes the Mountain West an exit fee of about $17 million. That triples in cost July 1, a reason for a quasi-deadline to the situation.
Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff has met with both San Diego State and SMU throughout this past year, and while no two programs can make up for losing USC and UCLA, they are two of the best available programs in the expansion realm.
As we have been since last July, we will continue to wait and see what the Pac-12 does in terms of their media rights, but for the first time this year there is a resounding sense of confidence surrounding the conference. They may finally be able to play offense, rather than having to combat reports about every other conference looking to pick off their members.
San Diego State and SMU could very well be in the Pac-12 by this time next year if everything goes right.
