Pac-12 Demise College Sports Disasters: The Pac-12’s fall shows what may go wrong and how to avoid it. A famous college sports facility is on the danger of disappearing. Bad decisions, poor leadership, and horrible fate characterize it. Arrogance and envy ruined a 108-year-old institution. Who would have thought?
Portland writer John Canzano recently told us something sadder. The Pac-12 had a good chance to sign an ESPN media rights deal a year ago. Each school received $30 million. Interestingly, George Kliavkoff’s league presidents advised him to reject this offer and instead claim $50 million. The talks ended here, a squandered opportunity. What happened? The Big 12 swiftly accepted ESPN’s offer, but the Pac-12 stalled and struggled to reach deals with other networks. Apple streaming was Kliavkoff’s best shot. The Pac-12 plan’s enrollment determined its success.
Six of the conference’s ten teams left for other leagues a few days later, leaving behind fading prosperity. The futures of Stanford, Cal, Washington State, and Oregon State are unknown, but financial ramifications are likely.
Looking back, Pac-12 leadership was terrible. They didn’t only miss the changing financial circumstances that would require cable titans to spend prudently. The mistake was misjudging their competitors. If ESPN was turned down last autumn, the Pac-12 believes it can compete with the SEC and Big Ten in value even without USC and UCLA. This error killed.
Big 12 storylines vary. It understood its position and value relative to the SEC and Big Ten. Survival was the goal, not winning. Thus, it accepted a Pac-12-like contract. Pac-12 leaders may wish they could rewind that horrible moment.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah are now Big 12 members and eager to maximize Texas recruiting. Washington and Oregon may prosper in the Big Ten.
In ten years, the four teams may experience buyer’s regret and grieve the Pac-12’s demise. Long trips, leaving legendary rivals, and hoping for a smoother path to the College Football Playoff will wear them down. A movie will tell how college sports went off track this century. Main idea? Administrators believed financial scoring mattered more than winning and losing.
READ MORE: North Posey Vikings: Embrace Change and Confidence for New Football Season
West Virginia’s history is instructive. It was always in the top 25 and ready to dance at the national championships. It earned more money in the Big 12 but lost field performance. Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska has lost its prestige. Texas A&M’s SEC reform investment hasn’t paid off yet.
Conference realignment shows that money-driven teams lose on the field and in the national press. Oregon and Washington would have had an easier chance reaching the College Football Playoff if the Pac-12 had stayed united.
Given what’s coming, everyone should take a breath and stop pulling down the foundation. The Pac-12’s future is a grim warning for the ACC. Their $20 million media deal discrepancy with the SEC and Big Ten feels like an existential threat.
Florida State wants change and will break ties if the disparity doesn’t close. Miami and Clemson are upset. The loss of three football national championsFlorida State, Clemson, and Miamicould drop the ACC from the top power leagues.
However, closer inspection disproves this. Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas earn approximately the same as SEC powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Despite higher prizes, their odds of making the College Football Playoff are decreasing.
Leagues with many advantages lead to wins, long postseason runs, and happy supporters. A troubling tendency is that institutions are forsaking their competitive roots in search of illusory riches. Pac-12’s demise is felt from Oklahoma to Southern California.