The ACC and Pac-12 have discussed what they have called a “loose partnership” that could end the season with conferences playing a “championship match” in Las Vegas, sources confirmed to CBS Sports.
The concept, which is believed to have been proposed by the ACC, is seen as a way for co-conference rights holders, ESPN, to increase the value of their existing media rights contracts.
This proposal isn’t likely to have much of an impact given that ESPN has entrusted certainty with the ACC on a contract to 2036. The Pac-12 is trying to survive after the USC and UCLA lost to the Big Ten in 2024. Pac Rights – Worth 12 teams without California authorities now make about $30 million a year, down from about $42 million per program with Trojans and Bruins in the fold.
First reported to John Kanzano The Pac-12 team suggested discussing a “loose partnership” with another conference Tuesday noon, noting that some regular season crossovers could be played in addition to the “championship match.”
Sources state that the proposal is seen as a “strength in numbers” movement. While the combined 24 ACC and Pac-12 teams would have almost no influence from the 32 combined programs in the SEC and Big Ten, they will. Something To combat the growing financial gap between those thriving major conferences and others.
With the Big 12 and Pac-12 in flux, ACC schools are increasingly aware of a media rights gap that could approach $50 million annually compared to the SEC and the Big Ten.
It has been widely speculated that a combination of Clemson, Florida and Miami could be appropriate if the Securities and Exchange Commission chooses to expand again.
The Big 12 is Consider adding up to six Pac-12 schools To fortify itself, CBS Sports reported Tuesday. Arizona, Arizona, Colorado and Utah are the primary target teams with Oregon and Washington also under consideration.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is trying to stay viable. On Tuesday, the league announced that it will be on the market early to negotiate the rights of its remaining 10 teams. Pac-12’s current contract with ESPN and Fox expires in 2024, although Fox is not expected to be interested in the rights to Pac-12 going forward.
