Title: “Big Ten and Big 12 Expand, Threatening the Existence of the Pac-12”
In a major shake-up within college sports, the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences have announced their plans to expand and form super-conferences. The move comes at the expense of the Pac-12, which is now left with only four member schools, raising concerns about its future existence.
Beginning next August, the Big Ten will welcome Oregon and Washington, while the Big 12 adds Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to its ranks. The addition of these schools significantly strengthens both conferences, but puts the Pac-12 in a precarious position.
Once boasting a rich history and numerous NCAA championships, the Pac-12’s potential extinction is now imminent due to its inability to secure a satisfactory media rights agreement. With only Stanford, California, Oregon State, and Washington State remaining, the conference has been decimated by the departure of powerhouse schools.
Former Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren played a significant role in influencing the decision for Oregon and Washington to join the conference. After successfully bringing the Los Angeles schools on board last summer, Warren encouraged member schools to add the Ducks and Huskies to further strengthen the Big Ten’s reach.
However, these new additions may not be reaping the same financial benefits as current Big Ten members. The Ducks and Huskies are projected to receive reduced payouts in media rights revenue, contrasting with powerhouses like USC and UCLA, who are expected to receive over $60 million each.
The Pac-12’s decline began when USC and UCLA abandoned the conference, leaving them with limited options. Adding to its woes, the Big 12 secured early extensions of its media rights deals, exacerbating the Pac-12’s struggle to secure a desirable agreement.
The Pac-12 had attempted to negotiate a media rights deal with Apple, but the schools were uncomfortable with the proposed terms. Consequently, Oregon re-engaged with the Big Ten, leading to their eventual departure.
As the rise of super-conferences continues to reshape the landscape of college sports, the future of the Pac-12 remains uncertain. This may be the conference’s last season, as it faces the daunting task of survival amidst the dominance of the Big Ten and Big 12.
With these expansions, the Big Ten will become the largest conference in major college sports, spanning an impressive 15 states from Washington to New Jersey. The ramifications of this shift will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects, forever altering the college sports landscape as we know it.
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