2017 article...
The Pac-12 deal expires after the 2023-24 sports year, and the Big 12's ends the following year.
The question down the road will be whether any conferences want to add schools that they feel will strengthen them in football, whether it's because of an upcoming rights fee deal, or they feel it would strengthen their conference network.
So it might come down to the Big 12 and Pac-12.
The Big 12 is still perceived as the most vulnerable, as Texas or Oklahoma could cripple the league by leaving. But revenue totals are encouraging -- its 10 members will split $348 million from the 2016-17 academic year -- and the internal squabbling that has plagued the conference seems to have disappeared.
The Pac-12's forecast, meanwhile, is less encouraging, and its revenue gap with other Power 5 leagues will widen before the next rights negotiation. Cal's athletic department lost $21.7 million in the 2016 fiscal year. Although the Pac-12's geography and tradition suggests members won't be looking to leave, something needs to shift before 2023.
As an industry insider said, "The Big 12's making strides, while the Pac-12 is falling behind." Another asked, "Can other conferences take advantage of the Pac-12?"
For those who love league stability, enjoy these years. For realignment fanatics, your time is likely coming again in 2023.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/19743196/why-2023-next-big-date-conference-shuffling
My personal thought is Big 12 will add Arizona and Arizona State. Pac 12 will be desperate and add BYU and possibly Boise State.
The Pac-12 deal expires after the 2023-24 sports year, and the Big 12's ends the following year.
The question down the road will be whether any conferences want to add schools that they feel will strengthen them in football, whether it's because of an upcoming rights fee deal, or they feel it would strengthen their conference network.
So it might come down to the Big 12 and Pac-12.
The Big 12 is still perceived as the most vulnerable, as Texas or Oklahoma could cripple the league by leaving. But revenue totals are encouraging -- its 10 members will split $348 million from the 2016-17 academic year -- and the internal squabbling that has plagued the conference seems to have disappeared.
The Pac-12's forecast, meanwhile, is less encouraging, and its revenue gap with other Power 5 leagues will widen before the next rights negotiation. Cal's athletic department lost $21.7 million in the 2016 fiscal year. Although the Pac-12's geography and tradition suggests members won't be looking to leave, something needs to shift before 2023.
As an industry insider said, "The Big 12's making strides, while the Pac-12 is falling behind." Another asked, "Can other conferences take advantage of the Pac-12?"
For those who love league stability, enjoy these years. For realignment fanatics, your time is likely coming again in 2023.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/19743196/why-2023-next-big-date-conference-shuffling
My personal thought is Big 12 will add Arizona and Arizona State. Pac 12 will be desperate and add BYU and possibly Boise State.