Sources: Pac-12, Mountain West football don't reach deal for '25

NT80 · September 3

Today was the first deadline day for the PAC-2 to fish or cut bait with the MWC. They decided to continue "fishing" and not continue with the MWC schedule agreement for next season 2025 (yet). OSU and WSU had to pay the MWC $14 million this year to get six games each with the 12-team MWC.

The next self-set deadline is Jan/Feb next year when OSU and WSU will decide for 2026 and beyond to 1.) pursue rebuilding the PAC or 2.) go Indy or 3.) join the MWC...

"While it's theoretically possible to circle back, the most likely scenario will be for Oregon State and Washington State to build fully independent schedules for the 2025 season."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/41100415/sources-pac-12-mountain-west-football-reach-deal-25

NM Green · September 3

This is very interesting with these 2. They seem lukewarm to the MWC teams and really haven’t gained steamed with the 12. It’s early but if the AAC continues to perform they could potentially be lured. We play in and near the markets their brethren went to.

Strengthen the AAC.
GMG

MeanGreenGlory · September 3

I'd be fully on board if the AAC brought in WSU and OSU, but I think asking them to come in on an "island" is a tough ask.

I think it'd be more appealing for everyone involved if the AAC could work a deal where WSU and OSU joined along with Air Force to round out the military academies and Boise State to make a northwest pod for a total of 18 total football teams.

WEST

Tulane
Rice
North Texas
UTSA
Tulsa
Air Force
Boise State
Washington State
Oregon State

EAST

Army
Navy
Temple
ECU
Charlotte
FAU
USF
UAB
Memphis

golfingomez · September 3

I was about to say, we need to get on the phone and schedule one of them, but then realized we already have Wazzou on the schedule to visit Denton

wardly · September 3

My understanding is that the PAC 2 must put together a conference by 2026 although they could ask for and probably get an extension. At present OSU/WSU are the recipients of over $200 million dollars of PAC 12 monies if they rebuild the PAC. However if they join an existing conference without using the PAC mask head then those monies would be distributed among all 12 existing and former members of the PAC 12. The MWC commissioner is playing hard ball with the PAC 2 but that may soften in the future.At present MWC members and the PAC 2 are severely penalized if OSU/WSU tries to cherry pick AFA,CSU,UNLV,SDSU,FSU, and Boisie St. in order to put together a 8 school conference. However I don't remember when those financial MWC exit fees expire , or even if they do.

Green Otaku · September 3

For those wanting the AAC to reach out, last time it was brought up the either they or the AAC didn't deem it as desirable. There probably isn't enough money to add them without lowering the per team payout.

meanrob · September 3

I live out here and I wouldn’t add just the two. Their brands are pretty limited without the PAC name. If you could add four, that’s the only way.

If that happened the AAC needs to steal the Fri night ESPN spot.

NT80 · September 4

11 hours ago, meanrob said:

I live out here and I wouldn’t add just the two. Their brands are pretty limited without the PAC name. If you could add four, that’s the only way.

Yes, that was the reason they were not picked up by another P4 conference. Not large enough of a National brand.

A media consultant estimated their dual addition to the MWC might add up to another 10% value to their next new contract, but not much more. Not enough to really be a revenue changer for the existing membership.

OSU and WSU will resist dropping to G5 as long as possible. They want ACC chaos to perhaps join Cal and Stanford there, otherwise rebuilding the PAC and trying to reclaim a "P5" do-over.

Edited September 4 by NT80

NM Green · September 4

Well Clemson and Florida State are not cooperating with their plan. Those 2 big dawgs are slipping on the national stage and holding the ACC firmly in tow as #4 of the Power 4. SMU might even compete for the ACC crown this year.

So that league is not going to be looking to expand. If anything they hope the 2 big dogs can elevate to Miami level in the coming years. The PAC 2 are going to be floating for awhile.

Invite them and the best of the West. Make a push to equal the ACC.

Memphis

USF

UNT

UTSA

San Diego State

Boise State

Army

Navy

Air Force

UNLV

Fresno State

Colorado State

Tulane

Tulsa

FAU

Charlotte

UAB

Rice

Temple

Colorado State

Oregon State

Washington State

wardly · September 4

On 9/3/2024 at 10:12 AM, wardly said:

My understanding is that the PAC 2 must put together a conference by 2026 although they could ask for and probably get an extension. At present OSU/WSU are the recipients of over $200 million dollars of PAC 12 monies if they rebuild the PAC. However if they join an existing conference without using the PAC mask head then those monies would be distributed among all 12 existing and former members of the PAC 12. The MWC commissioner is playing hard ball with the PAC 2 but that may soften in the future.At present MWC members and the PAC 2 are severely penalized if OSU/WSU tries to cherry pick AFA,CSU,UNLV,SDSU,FSU, and Boisie St. in order to put together a 8 school conference. However I don't remember when those financial MWC exit fees expire , or even if they do.

Actually its $265 million.

El Paso Eagle · September 4

51 minutes ago, wardly said:

Actually its $265 million.

Which they don't want to share with anyone therefore the Mountain West and the American would be smart to tell them good luck on your own let them merge with cusa

wardly · September 4

21 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Which they don't want to share with anyone therefore the Mountain West and the American would be smart to tell them good luck on your own let them merge with cusa

They have until 2026 to form a new PAC 12, which I think they will be forced to do as neither the ACC or Big 12 seem interested in them.My best guess is that OSU/WSU cherry picks SDSU,FSU,UNLV,BSU,AFA, and Colorado State assuming the punitive agreement they signed with the MWC is no longer in effect .If it still is then it would cost OSU/WSU about $200 million to establish a 8 school program with 6 MWC programs. The MWC could then reload with NMSU and UTEP giving them an unattractive 8 school conference similar to CUSA. I doubt the AAC would be poached by the new PAC 8 as Tulane is on the way down from a few good years in football but Memphis and USF could receive consideration. However the OSU athletic director has stated the goal is to build the best West Coast Conference .In summary, with full disclosure, I have never ever been correct on conference realignment predictions ,primarily because I though location actually mattered.