Introduction to the Pac-12 Expansion
The Pac-12 conference has extended an invitation to Texas State, a current member of the Sun Belt Conference, to join the conference as its eighth football-playing member. This decision comes three years after the mass exodus triggered by USC and UCLA’s departure to the Big Ten.
Background of the Mass Exodus
USC and UCLA’s decision to leave the Pac-12 on June 30, 2022, citing the Big Ten’s $8-billion media-rights deal as the primary motivation, led to a significant shift in the college sports landscape. Ten Pac-12 teams eventually departed, leaving only Washington State and Oregon State as members. The Pac-12 considered folding but instead added five state schools from the Mountain West Conference and Gonzaga, a private, non-football playing school from the West Coast Conference.
Texas State’s Expected Acceptance
Texas State is expected to accept the Pac-12’s offer, with the school set to join the conference in July 2026. The Bobcats made their first bowl appearance in the program’s 121-year history in 2023, defeating Rice in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, and won the same bowl in 2024 against North Texas.
Impact on the Pac-12 Conference
The addition of Texas State will give the Pac-12 eight football-playing teams, the minimum number required to continue as an NCAA conference. Although Texas State has historically been overshadowed by other Texas schools, it is a growing university with a reasonably strong portfolio of non-revenue sports, having won an award as the top-performing school in the Sun Belt across all sports in three of the last four years.
Previous Courtship of Memphis
The Pac-12 had previously courted Memphis as the eighth football-playing school, but Memphis athletic director Ed Scott stated that the school’s goal was to join a Power 4 conference. This led the Pac-12 to pursue Texas State, which was encouraged by the conference’s new multimedia deal with CBS.
Multimedia Deal with CBS
The Pac-12 announced a multimedia deal with CBS as the anchor partner from 2026 to 2031, which includes broadcasting a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and providing a cable and streaming presence. This deal was a factor in Texas State’s decision to join the conference, as the school was under pressure to make a decision before July 1, when their exit fee from the Sun Belt would double from $5 million to $10 million.
Domino Effect on Other Conferences
Texas State’s move to the Pac-12 is expected to trigger a domino effect, with the Sun Belt looking toward Conference USA for a replacement. Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee have been mentioned as possibilities.
Expected Strengths of the New Pac-12
The new Pac-12 is expected to be strongest in men’s basketball, thanks to the inclusion of Gonzaga and San Diego State. However, the conference could also be solid in football, with Boise State making the College Football Playoff last season and five schools joining the Pac-12 that played in a bowl.
Conclusion
The Pac-12’s decision to add Texas State marks a significant step in the conference’s rebuilding process. With a new multimedia deal and a growing membership, the Pac-12 is poised to become a competitive force in college athletics once again.
FAQs
- Q: When is Texas State expected to join the Pac-12?
A: Texas State is expected to join the Pac-12 in July 2026. - Q: Why did the Pac-12 extend an invitation to Texas State?
A: The Pac-12 extended an invitation to Texas State to give the conference eight football-playing members, the minimum number required to continue as an NCAA conference. - Q: What other schools have joined the Pac-12 in recent years?
A: The Pac-12 has added five state schools from the Mountain West Conference (Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State) and Gonzaga, a private, non-football playing school from the West Coast Conference. - Q: What is the significance of the Pac-12’s multimedia deal with CBS?
A: The multimedia deal with CBS includes broadcasting a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and providing a cable and streaming presence, which was a factor in Texas State’s decision to join the conference.
