What San Diego State's return to Mountain West means for Pac-12 expansion

San Diego State is set to remain in the Mountain West after beliefs they'd be invited to the Pac-12

On Friday the deadline that had long been looming for San Diego State to notify the Mountain West about their plans to leave the conference came and went. 

Reports by numerous sites indicated that San Diego State is expected to remain the Mountain West, which means as of right now it is highly unlikely that the Pac-12 is able to expand at this current moment. This means what appeared to be a power move in announcing they planned to leave the Mountain West, likely to get the Pac-12 to invite them, didn't work. Something that isn't too shocking considering the Pac-12 has long had the mindset of securing a media rights deal first then expanding after.

 However, just because something is unlikely to happen doesn't mean it won't happen eventually. San Diego State to the Pac-12 is still a viable option for both parties, it just won't occur in the manner that most assumed it would. There are also now questions about what it could mean for SMU's chances of joining the conference right now as well. 

Pac-12 insider John Cazano broke down the three options for San Diego State and the Pac-12 moving forward.

1. Stay in the Mountain West

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Likely the option that neither partner would prefer, but if the Pac-12 is unable to put together a deal that the remaining members are on board with, adding San Diego State would be the last of their worries. For San Diego State, they have already come out and said that they expect to move to a Power 5 whether it's the preferred Pac-12, or the Big 12.

2. Try again in a year

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To say this past year was less than ideal for the Pac-12 would be a massive understatement, they lost the Los Angeles market, had their brand dragged through the mud, were jumped in line by the Big 12 in two ways and they still don't have a media rights deal. This would be the most anticlimactic way to do it, but if San Diego State isn't willing to pay the fee of what jumped from $17 million to $33.5 million, they can just notify the Mountain West by June 30 of next year. This would allow them to join in 2025, and would likely also save them a ton of money. 

3. Pay up right now

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Contrary to the second alternative, San Diego State could be in the mindset of just wanting to get this over with. They may try to negotiate with the Mountain West, which doesn't seem like a viable option. If they want to be in the Pac-12 by 2024 instead of 2025, they can just swallow that pill and fork over the money now. This would obviously hinge on an invite from the Pac-12, which won't come until their media rights deal is completed. Something that Jon Wilner reported should happen before media day on July 21.