Pac-12 Convention commissioner George Kliavkoff speaks on the Pac-12 soccer media day Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles. The convention discovered itself in a pickle when USC and UCLA introduced they have been taking their ball to the Huge Ten. Damian Dovarganes, Related Press
George Kliavkoff, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Convention, left, with Senior Affiliate Commissioner Merton Hanks, heart, and Stanford Athletic Director Bernard Muir take questions from the media throughout opening of the Pac-12 NCAA faculty soccer media day Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles. Damian Dovarganes, Related Press
You gotta hand it to the Pac-12.
Ever since USC and UCLA dropped the June 30 bombshell that they have been leaving the wedding for more cash and bling, the remaining 10 groups have proven sturdy solidarity in sticking collectively, come what might.
There could also be much more happening behind the scenes with third-party contacts testing the waters to see if the remaining of us need to bounce ship. However you may’t discover such a fissure via any authoritative voice who speaks on the file. That simply doesn’t appear to be the case.
That is admirable.
If it retains up, it's actually fairly extraordinary.
And that's excellent news for the remaining groups — if they will stick collectively.
Competitively and financially, the brand new Pac-12, new Huge 12 and ACC are rather more like one another - with variations on the margins - than any of them is just like the SEC and Huge Ten.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 5, 2022
Which has been my level since June 30. https://t.co/o77c4rZjvB
What I’d actually wish to know is that if Oregon, and maybe Washington, is asking for an additional piece of the pie if this league stays collectively. And if that's the case, what does that do to the soundness?
To have league presidents and athletic administrators keep on the identical web page, placed on the identical face, after which have each other’s backs in occasions like that is, effectively, historic.
Not less than one Pac-12 pundit, Jason Scheer, who covers Arizona, is cautious of trusting this united entrance. He stated speak between league members is commonly faux — simply have a look at USC and UCLA.
I feel folks want to comprehend it’s each college for itself proper. The communication is commonly faux throughout the convention. Take a look at USC and UCLA. These colleges all say they have been shocked. Every college goes to do what’s greatest for them, whether or not it’s keep or go. It’s their job.
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) August 5, 2022
With the 30-day negotiation window closing this previous week, there has not been any vital information on convention growth. You may anticipate that to be the case till the Huge Ten finishes its overview of its worth with media companions, which commissioner Kevin Warren has indicated could possibly be on the first of the faculty soccer season, in September.
What now we have found is the Huge Ten is engaged on what could possibly be a $1.2 billion per 12 months payout for its 16-team league. That may be a monumental sum of money for a grant of rights to a convention and can set a brand new normal.
CBSsports.com columnist Dennis Dodds appeared on 365 Sports activities this week and revealed not one of the remaining Pac-12 groups would add the wanted worth ($80 to 100 million) for consideration within the Huge Ten. He stated the most important domino everyone seems to be ready on is that if Notre Dame will stay unbiased or settle for a standing invitation to affix the Huge Ten.
“As soon as we all know how that goes, that may decide what different leagues do,” stated Dodds.
Due to that, Pac-12 colleges are reticent to signal a grant of media rights for any size of time as post-June 30 league choices are mentioned, stated Dodds.
Within the meantime, an actual canine combat has damaged out amongst media and followers linked to the Huge 12 and Pac-12.
It’s gotten nasty.
On the left coast, we’ve had quite a few columns, tweets, and tales from Pac12 veteran reporters Jon Wilner (Mercury Information), Oregon radio host and blogger John Conzano, and Stewart Mandel of The Athletic take a professional “voice” of Pac-12 directors. They’ve defended, defined, shot down criticism, and printed what could possibly be considered as an organization line.
They’ve used their sources to debunk some pro-Huge 12 pictures on the Pac-12 in a back-and-forth over every little thing from % of stadium attendance to media valuations.
Simply days after new Huge 12 commissioner Brett Yormark took over for Bob Bowlsby, the official Huge 12 Twitter account countered a league attendance tweet by Wilner with its personal numbers.
https://t.co/065gVaA3GPpic.twitter.com/GkjvjiIWSr
— Huge 12 Convention (@Big12Conference) August 3, 2022
Then you've got Scheer, the writer and senior editor of the Wildcat Authority, a 247sports web site, who discovered himself in a firestorm when he reported “conferences” had taken place regarding Pac-12 groups becoming a member of the Huge 12.
Wilner and Conzano instantly refuted that assertion. They then introduced they have been doing a podcast collectively — everyone seems to be welcome.
Scheer was blasted by Conzano who disputed his stories. In flip, Scheer attacked Conazno over his report that no Pac-12 athletic administrators had acquired the most recent valuation figures from ESPN.
That is popcorn bowl stuff.
All of the bubble gum back-gym sideshows apart, we're all ready for official and concrete information from college presidents as to the way forward for leagues that aren't the SEC and Huge Ten.
However this summer season has been enjoyable, hasn’t it?
George Kliavkoff, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Convention, left, with Senior Affiliate Commissioner Merton Hanks, heart, and Stanford Athletic Director Bernard Muir take questions from the media throughout opening of the Pac-12 NCAA faculty soccer media day Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles.
Damian Dovarganes, Related Press