With less than a month until the college football season gets underway, the focus would usually be on the upcoming season. But, that’s not the case, as conference realignment rumors, especially Arizona to the Big 12, are heating up.
It was less than a week ago when fellow PAC 12 member Colorado made the leap back to the Big 12 starting in 2024, a conference they spent decades in, dating back to when it was the Big 8. And, it makes sense why Arizona would want to jump ship, as well.
The PAC 12 lost USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in a move that was announced last year, significantly weakening the conference’s position when it came to negotiating a new media deal. And, while all the other conferences have locked in long-term deals, the PAC 12 has not done so yet, and reports are the options on the table will leave them far behind the payouts for the Big 12 and ACC, let alone the SEC and Big Ten.
And, after Colorado made the move, it makes sense for the Big 12 to want to add another member, as they are at an odd number of 13, starting in 2024 when Colorado moves over. Arizona has been rumored to want in, and now their Board of Regents is set to meet on Tuesday, presumably to discuss moving Arizona to the Big 12.
The Arizona Board of Regents has a special meeting on Tuesday: https://t.co/Xd4KbDJLBn pic.twitter.com/ecMtEOTA49
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) July 31, 2023
It’s interesting to note that the Arizona Board of Regents also oversees Arizona State. Would they approve Arizona moving without Arizona State? Tough to tell.
Also, PAC 12 commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to finally present a media deal to the conference’s university presidents on Tuesday.
News: Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff will finally present a TV rights deal to league members within the next 48 hours, a source tells @TheAthletic.
The Board and ADs are scheduled to meet tomorrow morning.
First reported by @johncanzanobft.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 31, 2023
Could be an interesting Tuesday in college football.