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The Pac-12’s efforts to expand on the heels of adding Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State and San Diego State turned chaotic on Monday. Beginning the day being rebuffed by targets in the AAC, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello that Utah State has accepted an invitation to join the league beginning in 2026.
With Utah State on its way out, the Mountain West and the Pac-12 are at seven members apiece. A league must be at eight members to be recognized by the NCAA as a FBS conference.
The new Pac-12 doesn’t have a new TV deal for its seven current members who won’t play together until 2026. The Mountain West’s current deal expires in 20 months. In fact, sources tell CBS Sports both conferences have proactively sought out media partners without knowing for sure the makeup of their respective lineups. In addition, it is believed the Pac-12 was pitching to those American schools a media rights deal that would pay $10 million to $15 million per year. That’s where the speculative part comes into play. As mentioned, neither the MWC or Pac-12 have a long-term media rights deal. Streaming is believed to be part of the Pac-12’s media rights plan.
CBS Sports was able to confirm Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez was attempting to get her existing schools to sign at least a five-year grant of rights in order to go to market. It’s a bit of a cart-before-the-horse situation; the Mountain West is soliciting media deals without knowing it’s lineup of members. Now, it is trying to solidify that lineup with a grant of rights.
Industry sources were skeptical of that move because the league just lost its four best programs — Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Boise State — to the Pac-12. Sources told CBS…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/pac-12-expansion-chaos-mountain-west-in-survival-mode-as-utah-state-defects-aac-schools-rebuff-interest/
Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2024-09-24 01:22:39
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