Pac-12 Expands with Mountain West Schools for Future Success

The changing landscape of college football has seen the Pac-12 conference make a strategic move to bolster its roster by adding four dynamic teams from the Mountain West. The historic announcement marks a pivotal moment for the conference, once replete with collegiate powerhouses and influential benefactors. While it may not resurrect the golden days of having USC’s football might or Stanford’s Olympic greatness, this tactical maneuver offers a refreshing take on collaboration in the collegiate sports arena.

Driving this transformation are Pacific Northwest institutions Oregon State and Washington State, which have emerged as leaders in reshaping the Pac-12. After facing vulnerabilities when prominent schools like Oregon migrated to the Big Ten and Arizona fled to the Big 12, these two universities are now at the helm, guiding Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State into their league. The addition is set to take full effect by July 1, 2026, heralding a new chapter for all involved.

The Financial Commitment

The road to expansion has not come without its costs. A hefty sum of approximately $111 million underscores the financial intricacy involved in integrating the new members. Each departing Mountain West school is charged a $17 million exit fee, together totaling $68 million. Further financial obligations in the form of $43 million rest on the shoulders of the Pac-12, stemming from clauses embedded within their inter-conference agreements involving Mountain West.

Despite these expenditures, the Pac-12 isn’t starting from scratch financially. With a well-stocked treasury thanks to distributions from the College Football Playoff (CFP) and NCAA tournaments, as well as lucrative bowl contracts, the league is positioned to assist the new schools in offsetting these costs. A source has highlighted that the new recruits will temporarily forgo their Mountain West revenue shares, adding yet another financial facet to their transition.

Strategies and Opportunities

At its core, college football remains a fiercely competitive domain, and the Pac-12’s recent actions reflect a strategy molded by past experiences. The act of embracing these four schools is reminiscent of the challenges faced when Oregon and Washington pursued greener pastures. The current goal for Oregon State and Washington State is future expansion and fortification, ensuring the conference’s stability and adaptability as they look to add at least two more schools to meet NCAA Division I requirements.

As they explore their potential candidates, academics, athletics, media appeal, geography, and culture remain key criteria in their selection process. The addition also provides the Pac-12 with leverage against competing conferences like the American Athletic Conference (AAC), where media rights revenue becomes another compelling advantage. The promise of enhanced media rights deals positions the new conference to outperform established figures in the Group of 5, currently dominated by AAC schools.

The Road Ahead

Amidst the corporate and logistical complexities, the new configuration aims to be much more than a geographical reshuffling. It presents these institutions with a blank canvas—a medium for reimagined potential and unity. Although Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State might not match the prestige of giants like Notre Dame, their collective ambition is to claim stature within the new 12-team CFP format.

Together, they’re tasked with merely outperforming their Group of 5 counterparts to secure a coveted playoff berth, thus crafting a narrative that reaches beyond the initial financial and logistical hurdles faced. By seizing this opportunity, the Pac-12 stakes its claim once more on the national stage, salvaging a legacy that seemed to wane just over a year ago.

While anniversaries mark moments of reflection, for the Pac-12 and its new cohorts, this juncture marks an era of ambition and determination—a rebirth from the ashes of vulnerability into a future of competitiveness and hope.