The Pac-12 might not have a finalized — or even close to finalized — media rights deal by July 21. That would hurt the conference. Given the Pac-12’s many stumbles and organizational problems in recent years, no one would be too surprised if the conference failed to make a splash by July 21, which is Pac-12 media day. We certainly have to allow for the possibility that the Pac-12 will swing and miss. It has been known to happen.
However, if the Pac-12 secures a media rights deal or at least has 90-95 percent of the framework in place, such that it can present a general dollar range and can confidently speak about San Diego State and SMU as new members, that would be enough to stabilize the conference.
If we work within this specific hypothetical — having a deal or most of a deal in place before July 21 — how should the Pac-12 announce the deal?
This is basically a two-lane answer, but it could be a three-lane answer if you want to be especially precise.
The two general paths the Pac-12 could take in announcing the deal: One, announce it on media day. George Kliavkoff’s address to the media and the public could serve as the vehicle through which all of this becomes known for the first time.
Two, the Pac-12 could leak details of the deal on July 18 or 19 to set up a bigger July 21 announcement.
If the Pac-12 chooses path No. 2, it could share leaked details on multiple days before July 21, not just one day. In this sense, path No. 2 could actually contain additional paths: not just a one-day reveal before July 21, but a collection of smaller revelations.
Maybe the Pac-12 will leak a TV deal on July 18, a digital deal on July 19, and a basketball deal on July 20, before filling in the blanks and offering an expansion announcement on July 21.
Will any of these options come into play, though? The Pac-12 has to actually get that deal done (or very close to done) first.
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