The Pac-12, a conference renowned for its rich athletic history and often referred to as the "Conference of Champions," faced a significant crisis in recent years. Following a mass exodus of ten schools over a span of just 15 months, the future of the conference seemed bleak, leaving it in a state of disarray. This once-proud home to legendary athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cheryl Miller, and Tiger Woods was on the verge of extinction.
However, after years of uncertainty, the Pac-12 has officially re-launched as a revitalized entity. On July 1, the conference welcomed seven new members to join Oregon State and Washington State, marking a new chapter in its storied history. Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould expressed her enthusiasm about this fresh start, stating, "We’re literally launching a new league. We’ve been doing all the things that are already established in a traditional conference, but we wound ours down. So now we’re winding it back up and it’s a fun time." The excitement is palpable as the conference gears up for its football season, which kicks off this week.
The new Pac-12's football season begins with Fresno State visiting No. 14 Southern California on Thursday night. The action culminates with Washington State's rivalry game against former Pac-12 member No. 17 Washington on Sunday, known as the Apple Cup. Kirby Moore, the first-year head coach at Washington State, shared his excitement, noting, "Very few times do you get to be a part of history and be the first in the Pac-12 Conference coming back together."
The road to revival was fraught with challenges. The departure of powerhouse programs like USC and UCLA in 2022 dealt a significant blow to the conference, but it was the subsequent exit of eight more schools that left many doubting the Pac-12's survival. The conference, humorously dubbed the "Pac-2," faced staff layoffs and a grim outlook as it struggled to navigate the complexities of financial agreements with former members and the legalities surrounding new memberships.
In February 2024, Gould took on the role of commissioner, aware of the precarious situation the conference was in. "The idea or possibility that the conference wouldn't survive was certainly swirling in the back of my mind because there was just so much uncertainty at that time," she admitted. However, the Pac-12 began to show signs of life soon after, negotiating new scheduling agreements with the Mountain West Conference for the 2024 season.
The re-expansion efforts gained momentum as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State joined the conference, followed by Utah State and Gonzaga, which became a basketball-only member. Texas State rounded out the new membership in 2025, fulfilling the requirement of having eight football schools to compete at the FBS level.
Despite the progress, the Pac-12 faced further legal hurdles, including disputes over exit fees with the Mountain West. Fortunately, these issues were settled earlier this year, allowing the conference to focus on its future. Additionally, the Pac-12 secured new media rights deals with CBS, USA Network, and The CW, ensuring that its games will be accessible to fans without the hassle of searching through channels.
As the Pac-12 embarks on this new journey, it also faces challenges in the College Football Playoff (CFP) landscape. Previously, as a Power Five conference, it would have received an automatic bid under the new 12-team format. However, the restructured conference now falls into the Group of Six category, complicating its path to the playoffs. To enhance its postseason prospects, the Pac-12 is implementing "flex" games during the final week of the regular season, allowing for strategic matchups that could bolster its playoff chances.
Gould and Oregon State athletic director Kevin Griffin have expressed pride in the conference's ability to adapt and innovate during this tumultuous period. The Pac-12 has spent the last four years searching for solutions to avoid extinction, and the result is a revitalized conference ready to compete once again. With a new look and renewed energy, the Pac-12 is set to make its mark in the world of college football.
Leave a Comment