The conference swung and missed on its targets in the American Athletic Conference
UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka runs with the ball against Kansas in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. The first day of the second phase of the Pac-12’s expansion process did not unfold smoothly or ideally for a conference that aimed high and wide.
The Pac-12 intended on Monday to add three schools from the American Athletic Conference, Memphis, South Florida and Tulane. But wary of changing conferences based on revenue projections from the Pac-12, and not on revenue guarantees, the trio instead decided to remain in the AAC. That forced the Pac-12 to narrow its scope and turn its focus to schools, including at least one that doesn’t play football, in the Pacific and Mountain Time Zones.With six universities previously committed for the 2026-27 competition year — Washington State, Oregon State and the four Mountain West schools that made the jump two weeks ago — the conference began the week needing at least two more to comply with NCAA rules. The Aggies agreed to membership terms on Monday, according to multiple sources — and that decision could have momentous consequences, which we’ll address below. However, neither the school nor the Pac-12 had uttered a public peep about the decision as of late Monday night. An official announcement could come Tuesday. • Despite reports Monday that UNLV had pledged its allegiance to the Mountain West, the school remains in play for the Pac-12 and is under heavy pressure to make the jump, according to sources. What changed? Utah State’s decision to join the Pac-12 left the Mountain West below the number required by both the NCAA and conference’s own media rights agreement for the 2026-27 school year. UNLV officials were expected to mull their options overnight, but there is no timetable for a decision. • Air Force’s commitment to remain in the Mountain West is also in question because of Utah State’s move, which effectively untethered every school from the conference by dropping the membership total below the threshold. Could the Pac-12 pursue the Falcons even though it already has Colorado State to provide a presence along the Front Range of the Rockies?• A news report by the Action Network that Gonzaga had agreed to join the Pac-12 was premature, according to multiple sources, with one noting the key financial details had not been worked out. But the two sides are discussing membership — the talks are beyond the exploratory phase — with an agreement potentially coming this week that would super-charge the Pac-12’s basketball brand. Because Gonzaga does not play football, a deal would leave the Pac-12 one school short of the eight-member NCAA requirement.• The final component of what could be a wild Tuesday is well known in the realignment game: The unknown. The Pac-12 is pursuing a plethora of options to bolster its football and basketball brands. While some scenarios have played out in public, there could be a mystery move unfolding in private.AAC spurns Pac-12 expansion advances, leaving SDSU and new league to settle for Utah StateDon’t absolve Harris for the missing 320,000 migrant kidsEnormous Navy fuel ship launched in San Diego at time of growing global tensions Scorched-earth Fletcher litigation racks up more sanctions requests, attorney fees and ‘a long history of mistrust’Padres pregame: Nick Ahmed dropped into playoff race, Luis Arraez sits
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