The Pac-12, which has a rich history dating back more than a century in college football, is undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis. The West Coast’s college sports scene is changing as a result of the approaching departure of ten of the twelve participating schools.
This signals the end of an era for a college football conference that was home to storied rivalries, great players, and unforgettable moments. With the conference landscape significantly diminished, Oregon State and Washington State, the two remaining schools, must navigate an uncertain future.
Their football programs will go on, but they will only be partially affiliated with conferences. They may even make agreements with other conferences to share game schedules. Once a dominant conference in college athletics, the Pac-12’s legacy is currently undergoing a significant and permanent transformation.
What Happened to the Pac-12?
The Pac-12 faced a combination of challenges that ultimately led to its current state. The conference struggled to reach profitable contracts for media rights, trailing other major conferences in this regard. This, along with a downturn in football’s competitive performance, had an impact on the conference’s financial situation and attractiveness.
PAC-12 CHAMPS 🏆@76 | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/clqUDK0xPU
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 2, 2023
Important Pac-12 universities decided to pursue affiliations with other conferences as a result, which marked the Pac-12’s decline as a major player in collegiate athletics. Just two schools remain to represent a drastically diminished Pac-12 as the majority of member schools are expected to join other major conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC.
Is the Pac-12 Disappearing?
Yes, the Pac-12 as we know it is on the brink of disappearing. The conference, which was once dominant in college football, is going through major transitions. By 2024, ten of the twelve member schools will have moved on to other conferences. The Pac-12 will essentially cease to exist, with only two universities—Oregon State and Washington State—maintaining membership at reduced levels.
For the Pac-12, the exit of illustrious universities like Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA, and others signifies the end of an era. The futures of the two remaining schools are unclear as they will likely play with restricted conference affiliation and possibly combine their schedules with those of other conferences.
Why is the Pac-12 Ending?
The Pac-12’s demise can be attributed to difficulties in obtaining profitable television deals, which are essential for conference stability and revenue. While other major conferences were able to negotiate large contracts for media rights, the Pac-12 was unable to agree with these lines. This affected the conference’s overall reputation and financial standing.
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Let ‘em hear it! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zGadchzxXM
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 2, 2023
The conference has also lost national relevance as a result of recent struggles in revenue-generating sports, most notably football. The conference’s decline was exacerbated by the inability to consistently compete at a high level on the football field and by unsuccessful media negotiations.
Where Will Pac-12 Teams Play Next Year?
For former Pac-12 teams, the college football conference landscape will be drastically altered in the upcoming season. Most Pac-12 schools Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah, and Washington—are planning to join other prestigious conferences like the Big Ten and the Big 12.
Meanwhile, SMU will become an ACC member along with Stanford and California. Nevertheless, Oregon State and Washington State will be the only two teams to continue playing in the Pac-12 despite an uncertain future and the possibility of scheduling mergers with other conferences.
