The Pac-12 launched its last-ditch effort to keep the conference together by announcing on Tuesday that its board of directors will begin negotiations on a new media rights contract. With Colorado and other Pac-12 schools reportedly being pursed by the Big 12, the Pac-12’s board and commissioner George Kliavkoff have pushed their timelines up to try and gain some traction on the ever-changing world of college football.
The Pac-12’s current TV deal is a duel partnership between Fox Sports and ESPN and was set to expire after 2024. According to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, the timing couldn’t be worse for the conference:
“Call FEMA. Because this is a disaster.”
That was the verdict of one sports TV executive as the sports world reeled from the news that USC and UCLA are negotiating to leave the Pac-12 Conference for the Big Ten.
Consequently, a duel statement from Colorado Athletic Director Rick George and university chancellor Philip DiStefano was also released on Tuesday, showing that CU may be warming to the idea of making a new TV deal work in the Pac-12:
CU Boulder supports the decision of the Pac-12 Board of Directors this morning to begin conference media rights negotiations. We are committed to the Pac-12 Conference and look forward to being an active participant in those conversations.
We will keep you updated as the story progresses.
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