Sources say preliminary talks have started on a merger between San Diego State's current conference and the Pac-12, which is in tatters following the departure of 8 schools
In a historic and unprecedented flurry of conference realignment theater Friday, the once-mighty Pac-12 went from a Pac-10 to a Pac-9 to a Pac-8 to a Pac-6 to a Pac-4 in a matter of days, even hours, and San Diego State’s decades-old dream of joining the West Coast’s premier league disappeared into the hazy afternoon sky like smoke from a Fourth of July barbecue.
The other option, which multiple Mountain West sources said is gaining traction, is more merger than acquisition. You dissolve the Mountain West in name only to eliminate exit fees, then move most or all members into the Pac-12 shell so you can retain its name and power conference status. Then entice Gonzaga to join as a non-football affiliate to further enhance an already solid collection of men’s basketball programs.
newspaper. “Our intent is to work with the remaining Pac-12 members. It’s a strong option. We’ll look at other opportunities. The timing is something we want to pursue as soon as possible, but we have some time to get it right.” The key to any merger talks, then, is maintaining each conference’s assets with an eye toward maximizing revenues to stay competitive.
But what if the Pac-12 schools want a smaller conference with membership that augments media rights value?Mountain West bylaws contain procedures for suspending members but not outright eliminating them, although rules can be changed with nine of 12 votes from its presidents. The founding Mountain West members would not be in immediate jeopardy, sources indicated, but San Jose State, Nevada and Hawaii might be.
The logical solution might be operating under the Mountain West contract through 2025-26, adjusted upward for the new additions. Then they’d negotiate a new deal that wouldn’t command Big 12 money but could double the $5 million or so that Mountain West schools get now.
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