As we continue to see one of the wildest conference switch-ups in college sports history, we may have yet another pending move in the works.
First off, Texas and Oklahoma caught everybody off guard last football season, after announcing that they plan to leave the Big-12 and join the SEC by 2025.
Then, UCLA and USC announced last week that they would be leaving the Pac-12, and joining the Big Ten by 2024.
And in the latest debacle, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah announced that they want to leave the Pac-12 to join the Big-12. And now, talks of Oregon and Washington joining the Big-12 have begun as well.
Needless to say, these moves would completely change the landscape of college sports, as we’d have schools playing other schools in conferences that aren’t even remotely geographically close to each other.
With that being said, the craziness doesn’t end there, as the ACC and Pac-12 are looking to discuss a “loose partnership,” according to CBS Sports.
This “loose partnership” could potentially include a “championship game” in Las Vegas.
The outlet notes that the proposal will more than likely not have much of an impact, as ESPN has cost certainty with the ACC in a contract through 2036.
Of course, the Pac-12 is trying to find anything in their power, as the loss of UCLA and USC has resulted in schools rights worth about $30 million annually, which is down from the $42 million per program it was before.
John Canzano originally reported on the Pac-12 discussing a “loose partnership” with another conference, which would result in a few crossover games, along with the championship game.
Needless to say, the Pac-12 is going to have to make some kind of move in order for their teams to stay relevant in some way shape or form.
As much as it pains me to say this, we’re probably gonna be looking at about three mega-conferences here in the upcoming years.
