Why is the Pac-12 dissolving?

The Pac-12 conference is dissolving primarily due to its inability to secure a competitive long-term media rights deal, which directly led to the departure of its foundational universities and subsequently triggered a mass exodus of other member institutions.

The Core of the Collapse: Media Rights

Unlike its peer conferences in the Power Five, the Pac-12 struggled significantly to finalize a broadcast agreement that would provide its member schools with comparable revenue streams. In an era where television and streaming rights represent the vast majority of income for collegiate athletic programs, this financial disadvantage became an insurmountable obstacle. The conference's inability to present a lucrative media deal made its future look bleak for its members.

The Domino Effect: Key Departures

The failure to secure a robust media deal directly contributed to the pivotal decision by two of the conference's most valuable and geographically important institutions, UCLA and USC, to leave for the Big Ten Conference. This move, announced in 2022, was a critical turning point that effectively sealed the Pac-12's fate. The loss of these Los Angeles-based programs not only diminished the conference's competitive profile but also significantly reduced its market value and national visibility.

Mass Exodus and Conference Realignment

Following the impactful departures of UCLA and USC, a rapid succession of other universities sought new homes, recognizing the Pac-12's diminished financial and competitive prospects. This triggered a widespread realignment across college athletics, as schools prioritized stability and revenue in new conferences.

Here’s a breakdown of the major shifts that led to the Pac-12's effective collapse:

With only Oregon State and Washington State remaining as full members, the once-storied Pac-12 effectively dissolved, marking the end of a historic era in college sports. The emphasis on media rights revenue continues to drive significant shifts in the landscape of collegiate athletic conferences.