Pac-12 elects not to pursue expansion during current realignment cycle
The Pac-12 has announced it will be standing pat with its 12 current member institutions for the time being.
The conference released a statement Thursday claiming it would not partake in expansion during the present realignment cycle set off by Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC in July.
"Following consultation with our Presidents, Chancellors and Athletic Directors, the Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to not pursue expansion of our membership at this time," the statement read. "This decision was made following extensive internal discussion and analysis, and is based on the current competitive strength and cohesiveness of our 12 universities. It is also grounded in our confidence in our ability as a conference to best support our student-athletes and to grow and thrive both academically and athletically."
The status of the eight remaining Big 12 universities left in Texas and Oklahoma's path has been up in the air since rumors of their departure first emerged in mid-July. The Pac-12, ACC and Big Ten have all been tied to different schools at different points in the past month, with reports of TCU, Texas Tech and others reaching out to the Pac-12 about joining the conference coming out at one point.
Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff spoke about potential expansion, mergers and realignment at Pac-12 Media Day on July 27, and he said diving into all options and possibilities on that front was a priority for conference leadership.
Kliavkoff also made it clear he did not think expansion was necessary, however, and after sorting through all available information and meeting with the proper people, that doesn't seem to have changed.
Back on Aug. 3, Kliavkoff met with Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby to break down realignment options. The six-hour meeting reportedly involved proposing different agreements for the future between the two conferences, as well as disclosing all of the important financial and media details regarding each of their member schools.
Another option reportedly thrown out at that meeting was a scheduling alliance, but the Pac-12 has seemingly tossed that out the window after agreeing to join "The Alliance" alongside the ACC and Big Ten on Tuesday.
One of the goals of "The Alliance" is to provide unity and stability in an ever-changing collegiate sports landscape. It is unclear whether or not that means the ACC and Big Ten will also refrain from poaching the leftover Big 12 schools.
All three conference commissioners highlighted the importance of the Big 12 and its relative health during "The Alliance" press conference Tuesday.
Whether or not the Big 12 is dissolved, split up or demoted from a Power Five level is all still to be determined, but at this time, the Pac-12 won't have anything to do with how it pans out.
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