The ACC took part in adding from the Pac-12 in the recent wave of realignment, bringing Cal and Stanford into the fold this season, and with the losses the conference sustained this year, it appeared to be a death blow.
But it appears that the Pac-12 isn’t ready to quit yet. The conference, which currently includes Oregon State and Washington State, is supplementing its ranks via the Mountain West Conference. The Pac-12 is set to add Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network.
It’s an attempt by the Pac-12 to revamp a conference that has been ravaged by conference realignment and needs new members in the new couple of seasons.
McMurphy further reported that the official announcement is expected Thursday morning. It’s an expensive venture for the Pac-12.
And the conference will still need to add two more member schools by the 2026 season to qualify as an FBS conference.
The MWC will receive $111 million in exit fees, McMurphy reported. The departing programs must pay a $17 million exit fee for each program, along with a $43 million fee as part of a scheduling agreement with the MWC.
It’s a move in the attempt to bring the Pac-12 back to relevancy, considering there are just two members of the conference this season. And if the conference is able to secure the four MWC schools, it could trigger another wave of realignment at the lower levels. It’s a move that needs to be watched throughout the remainder of the week — and into the future.
