Pac-12 will not expand, leaving remaining Big 12 schools safe
The Pac-12 announced Thursday it will not pursue expansion beyond its 12 members after exploring the idea.
The announcement comes two days after the league entered an alliance with the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference that sought to combine resources on schedule and legislative priorities. Among its concerns was the stability of college athletics. A move to poach teams from other leagues likely would have further influenced an unstable situation.
"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," a statement by the league said. "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 Pac-12 looked into the possibility of adding schools after the announcement that Texas and Oklahoma were leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The remaining eight Big 12 schools were thought to be potential targets, including Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas Tech.
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However, the calculation of adding schools required a financial incentive. It would be difficult for any of the Big 12 castoffs or schools from the west, like Brigham Young or Boise State, to add enough value in television contacts to offset splitting revenues among more teams.
The decision was the first big call by Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff, who was hired in May. He recently told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that several teams had reached out about joining the league. Kliavkoff also met with Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby this month with the possibility of some type of strategic partnership between the leagues among the topics.
Ultimately, the Pac-12 decided to stand pat.
The decision does provide some clarity for the Big 12, which is hoping to retain its position among the Power Five, even as it prepares for its two biggest schools to depart by 2025. Further defections likely would have made the situation untenable.
Adding schools now becomes an option with candidates from the American Athletic or BYU and Boise State offering the most attractive options.
One positive working for the league: The expressed desire of the alliance conferences to have the Big 12 be healthy.
“We want and need the Big 12 to do well," ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said. "The Big 12 matters in college athletics. The Big 12 matters in Power Five athletics. I can tell you we’ll be watching what occurs here.”
Follow colleges reporter Erick Smith on Twitter @ericksmith
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pac-12 Conference will not expand in wake of Texas, Oklahoma moves
