* We have been able to gather more details on the Pac-12’s recent offer to its conference members. Sources indicate that the number presented was $24.5 million on the high end, but the biggest issue actually was not money related.
Instead, the conference was presented a deal that was nearly all streaming. The Pac-12 presidents have been consistent in their approach by saying that linear was important to the future of the conference and while George Kliavkoff tried, he has never been able to get to that sweet spot with linear and enough money to keep the Pac-12 members around.
* Once the meeting was completed with disappointment, all bets were off. Schools such as Arizona, Utah, and Arizona State entered discussions with the Big 12. Arizona was the furthest along of the three going into this part of the process and in the last 24-48 hours, Arizona State and Utah joined the Wildcats. Although it is not completely finalized yet, sources indicate that Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah are all likely to join the Big 12. One source said that it would have to fall apart for the three schools not to make the move and the ideal plan for the Big 12 is to make the biggest possible impact, which is announcing all three at once. Although it is not set in stone, there could be an announcement as soon as Friday.
* Utah has been the most stubborn of the three schools throughout the process and should things break apart, it would likely be at Utah’s feet. The fans have played a large role in that as Athletic Director Mark Harlan knows how Utah fans view the Pac-12 compared to the Big 12, especially considering the presence of BYU. Harlan was not lying when he pledged his loyalty to the Pac-12. However, the situation has become difficult to survive and Harlan knows that the future of the athletic department is at stake. Although he was hesitant at first, sources indicate that Utah has done a 180 in the last 24 hours and has become confident in its next step.
* Arizona President Robert Robbins deserves a ton of credit in this process, as he has been vocal and active in talking to his counterparts. There was clear hesitancy with Arizona State and Utah, but Robbins has been consistent in what he wanted to see from the Pac-12 and his expectations were never matched. Robbins kept an open dialogue with the four corner schools and has laid out the positives of making a move to the Big 12.
* The Big 10 has made the entire process easier for the Pac-12 schools involved. Sources indicate that there will be an expansion meeting on Wednesday night and a handful of schools will be discussed. Oregon and Washington are the top priorities and although Stanford and Cal have been mentioned, sources have told us they aren’t necessarily the top choice. Expect the Big 10 to make another strong run at Notre Dame and to move on ACC schools as well. Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida State have been mentioned as three of the schools that will be discussed. The Big 10 process could move faster than people expected due in large part to the fact that some of these schools have already been vetted by the conference.
* It is unknown what will happen with the ACC should multiple schools leave, but UConn has has had preliminary dialogue with the conference. As of now, it is unlikely that UConn will join the Big 12 because the four corner schools look as if they will go together, which was unexpected as recently as a week ago.
