With the clock ticking for the Pac-12 to get a new media rights deal in place, the hold-up is also creating a roadblock in further painting a vision of the conference’s future.
On Monday, Dan Patrick said the admittance of San Diego State and SMU hinges on the conference finalizing a TV deal. San Diego State and SMU would replace USC and UCLA, which are joining the Big Ten.
“That’s what I found out Friday night when I got back from vacation, found one of my college football sources reached out and said, ‘Hey I know that you reported that San Diego State was gonna go to the Pac-12 months ago. From what I’m finding out, it’s feeling like it’s close to being a done deal that San Diego State is gonna go to the Pac-12,'” Patrick read from his phone. “‘They’re waiting for the TV deal to be announced.'”
Adding the Aztecs makes sense for the conference, considering it would continue to have a presence in Southern California. Dan said his source told him that adding SMU would also help establish a presence in Dallas and Texas overall.
“It’s almost like a game of Risk, but it’s the United States where these conferences want states,” he said. “They want to be able to dominate a state – Have a presence in a state. That’s why San Diego State to the Pac-12, you gotta have them because you have to have a school in Southern California. You don’t have that since UCLA and USC are going to the Big Ten.”
“Why is it the LIV tour can get a TV deal, and the Pac-12 can’t get a TV deal?” Dan added.
Dan also talked about the conference potentially adding Boise State and UNLV. But the source said academics and a lack of additional strong athletic programs outside of football is standing in Boise State’s way. Additionally, the source said adding UNLV would only be if the conference wanted to expand into Las Vegas. The Pac-12 does hold its football championship game there as well as men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Well he is right this pac12 media deal is a joke