Pac-12 reportedly has nine finalists for next add

[Tommy Gadberry]

Is it just me or does anyone else sense  a strong partnership forming between us and Texas State?

[keith]

On 3/28/2025 at 1:53 PM, NT80 said:

Yes, joining for the 2027 season would only be $10 mil if notice is given by the end of May 2025 (this year).

Here is the breakdown from what I can find.  

Leaving the America Athletic Conference for a new wave Pac-12 will be an expensive endeavor. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that the exit cost for AAC schools to depart the conference is "nearly" $27.5 million per school for them to join the Pac-12 for the 2026 season.Sep 21, 2024

 

• Standard Exit Fee:

  The AAC's bylaws mandate a 27-month notice period and a $10 million exit fee for schools leaving the conference. 

Does anyone recall what SoutherMiss, Marshall and ODU paid in exit fees when they packed up their bags and left CUSA?

[NT80]

2 hours ago, keith said:

Does anyone recall what SoutherMiss, Marshall and ODU paid in exit fees when they packed up their bags and left CUSA?

 

Both Southern Miss and Marshall paid $1.75 million to Conference USA as "Consideration Paid to the Conference for Early Withdrawal". 

 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

 

• Settlement Agreement:

  The three schools (Southern Miss, Marshall, and Old Dominion University) signed a "Confidential Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release" on March 29, which outlined the terms of their departure from C-USA.
• Exit Fee:

  The agreement stipulated that each school would pay $1.75 million to C-USA for leaving the conference early.
• Payment Timeline:

  Southern Miss had 30 days from the document's approval to pay the settlement.
• Sun Belt Entrance Fee Waived:

  Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced that the $3 million entrance fee for Marshall had been waived.

[Green Otaku]

I have serious doubts about that rumor, but will wait to see what the PAC numbers look like. $10M a year becomes a reality, then maybe we see if those rumors about wealthy donors comes true. It also doesn't take into account if the AAC will counter offer to keep us, ESPN might be willing to offer a full share now if they want to keep us or whoever else in the AAC from leaving.

[wardly]

I saw an interesting podcast that predicted in the next few years football programs will spin off from other sports . They would form football only conferences separate from a universities other sports. Think University of Northern Illinois but on a global basis.

[NT80]

17 minutes ago, wardly said:

I saw an interesting podcast that predicted in the next few years football programs will spin off from other sports . They would form football only conferences separate from a universities other sports. Think University of Northern Illinois but on a global basis.

It makes sense.  Most conference realignment today is driven by football, and it's value as a program.   Other sports get dragged across the country because Cal football was wanted in the ACC.  It would be better to just send football only and keep their other sports in a west coast conference.