Sports

Arizona FB Coach Responds To Big XII Rumors, Says Wildcats Wouldn’t Be Responsible For Killing PAC 12

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Arizona Wildcats head coach speaks at PAC 12 media day.

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Arizona head football coach Jedd Fisch has responded to rumors surrounding the Wildcats and the Big XII. While a decision has not been made regarding the program’s potential departure from the PAC 12, he’s shutting down the narrative that UA would be responsible for the conference’s collapse should they ultimately choose to leave.

Reports suggesting the school’s exit began picking up steam last week following the decision of fellow PAC 12 member Colorado. The Buffs officially announced their plan to join the Big XII after months of speculation.

That departure wasn’t necessarily a shock as the program had previously been a Big XII member before bolting for the West Coast more than a decade ago. The school blamed the league’s pending media rights deal for the abrupt exit.

That agreement, which has not yet been reached, is in danger of leaving PAC 12 members penniless compared to the rest of the college sports world. Rumors circulated yesterday of a potential $200 million payout, or around $20 million per team, with games being aired on streaming services rather than big-time cable networks.

The PAC 12 sat and watched as the rest of the Power Five secured their futures, most notably the Big Ten who signed a massive $1 billion deal with NBC, FOX, and CBS this past offseason.

That deal came to fruition thanks in part to USC and UCLA’s leaving the league for greener pastures. The Bruins and Trojans plan to join the B1G in 2024.

With the Los Angeles market gone, the PAC 12 has found it difficult to garner an offer they deem fair. They’ve swung and missed with the major players leading most to believe a deal with Apple will be the inevitable outcome.

Should the reports prove to be true, PAC 12 members could receive half of what the rest of the Power Five sees in media payouts. The uncertainty and lack of revenue has many rethinking their standing in the Conference of Champions.

Shortly after the Colorado announcement, it was reported that the Big XII would look to add one to three more members by 2024. The four corners schools have gained the most traction, with UCONN also being considered a possible addition.

The current PAC 12 schools in the four corners include Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah.

Further fueling speculation, the Wildcats set up an impromptu board meeting this week, presumably to discuss options in realignment. Some believe that Arizona is on its way out.

Arizona head football coach Jedd Fisch responds to Big XII rumors.

With speculation running rampant, Fisch opened up about his knowledge of the situation on Tuesday.

“I don’t know what is happening with the conference,” Fisch said. “But I do know Arizona is a great brand and will be fine.”

He went on to shut down a narrative that Arizona’s leaving would kill the PAC 12.

We should soon know where the Wildcats stand in realignment.

How Arizona’s decision would impact the Big XII outside of football.

While the university provides a solid football program as Fisch notes, the impact on the court would be even greater. Should Arizona leave, they’d further bolster the Big XII’s hold as the nation’s top basketball conference.

One of the biggest brands on the hardwood, UA has made 37 NCAA Tournament appearances, tallying four Final Fours and a national title.

They’d join schools like Kansas, West Virginia, Baylor, K-State, and Cincinnati, all with strong basketball resumes.

It should be an interesting few days in Tuscon. Buckle up.