Could Arizona State’s Herm Edwards be the coach of a Big 12 crew sooner or later? It’s trying much less possible as talks broke down between the convention and the Pac-12. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Asked about potential expansion from the addition of Pac-12 faculties not too long ago, incoming Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormack left “no doubt” that his convention is “open for business.”
“We will leave no stone unturned to drive value for the conference,” Yormack stated through the current Big 12 Media Days. “All in an effort to position the conference in a way that not only grows the Big 12 brand and business, but makes us a bit more contemporary.”
At the time, Yormack’s declaration signaled that the convention realignment dominoes had been more likely to proceed falling, however hypothesis surrounding a brand new potential superconference ended as swiftly because it began. Discussions a couple of partnership between the Big 12 and Pac-12 got here to an end this week “for a multitude of reasons,” ESPN reports. Both sides decided a deal wouldn’t have returned income or worth, based on the report.
The newest improvement places a dent in Yormack’s expansion plans, a minimum of for now. The Big 12 managed to climate the departure of Texas and the University of Oklahoma to the SEC late final summer season when outgoing Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby introduced that BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida and Houston will be a part of the convention on July 1, 2023.
On June 30, two days after the Big 12 introduced Yormack as the brand new commissioner, USC and UCLA introduced they may depart the Pac-12 convention for the Big Ten. Quite the introduction to his new job, Yormack stated he was excited in regards to the news.
“I was excited by (the news of USC and UCLA leaving the Pac-12) because I saw there was opportunity,” Yormack stated final week. “I’ve received a lot of phone calls (with) a lot of interest, and we’re exploring those levels of interest.”
Added Bowlsby: “The seismic shifts are continuing in collegiate athletics.”
Not solely will the shifts result in a change within the format of convention championships, but additionally probably how followers watch groups compete for the title. As media rights proceed to drive income in school soccer, Kliavkoff and Yormack might want to work strategically to maintain their conferences afloat within the swiftly altering panorama. Establishing partnerships is certainly one of many concepts on the desk.
Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was reportedly approved to “immediately begin” media rights negotiations in early July, whereas Yormack stated upcoming negotiations for a brand new media rights deal in 2025 stay prime of checklist. The Big 12’s media rights deal can’t be negotiated till 2024.
Both conferences may use some momentum in negotiations, and it might be advantageous for both convention to develop by discovering alternate options to poach from different conferences after every misplaced two blue blood members throughout the final 12 months.
“There is no higher priority than to be in the best position the Big 12 for its upcoming multimedia rights negotiations,” Yormack stated. “Everything we do must create momentum for these negotiations, as well as building the value of the Big 12 brand and business.”
The Pacific Coast Conference added USC and UCLA in 1922 and 1928, respectively, earlier than evolving into the Pac-12. Texas and Oklahoma had been members of the Big 12 because the convention’s formation in 1996. Prior to becoming a member of, Oklahoma was a member of the Big Six, which started in 1928 and added Colorado in 1948, Oklahoma State in 1959 and the 4 Texas faculties (Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor) in 1996.
There’s little doubt all eyes shall be on the following transfer for the Big 12 and the Pac-12 – and that the failed negotiations between the 2 Power Five conferences serves as solely the start line of what’s to return.
And definitely, by all accounts at Big 12 Media Days, the convention will stay “open for business” for the following wave of colleges to affix the bargaining desk.
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