Pac-12’s Rebuilding Plan: Expansion into the Mountain West with Four New Schools
The Pac-12 Conference, once a powerhouse in college football and basketball, has been struggling to regain its former glory. With
Boise State University
,
San Diego State University
,
University of Colorado Boulder
, and
University of Utah
.
Boise State University
Boise State, known for its Blue Turf, has a rich football tradition and a loyal fan base. Joining the Pac-12 would provide the Broncos with more high-profile opponents, potentially boosting their national rankings and exposure.
San Diego State University
SDSU is another Mountain West powerhouse with a large, passionate fan base and a successful football program. Adding the Aztecs to the Pac-12 would not only strengthen the conference but also expand its footprint into California, increasing its geographical reach.
University of Colorado Boulder
The Buffaloes, located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, have a rich athletic history and a passionate fan base. Their addition to the Pac-12 would provide geographical balance and add another competitive football program to the conference.
University of Utah
Utah, with its impressive football program and growing fan base, would be a valuable addition to the Pac-1The Utes have consistently performed well in the Mountain West Conference and joining the Pac-12 would allow them to compete against more high-level opponents.
The Impact on the Pac-12
The addition of these four schools would significantly strengthen the Pac-12 Conference. The new members’ success and fan bases would help to attract better recruits, increase attendance at games, and generate more revenue through ticket sales and media rights deals.
Conclusion
The Pac-12’s expansion into the Mountain West with Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado Boulder, and Utah is a bold yet promising step towards rebuilding the conference. By adding these four competitive schools, the Pac-12 would not only strengthen its football and basketball programs but also expand its geographical reach and attract more revenue. Only time will tell if this expansion plan will pay off for the Pac-1
I. Introduction
The Pac-12 Conference, one of the
Power Five
conferences in NCAA football, has a rich history of success and innovation. Established in 1959 as the
Association of Western Colleges, Athletic Conference
(AWAC), it was later renamed to the Pacific-10 Conference in 1962 and finally to the Pac-12 in 2011 with the addition of Colorado and Utah. Over the years, this conference has produced numerous
national champions
and iconic figures in collegiate sports. However, it’s important to recognize that the conference is currently experiencing both historical success and recent struggles.
Historical Success
The Pac-12 boasts an impressive collection of
national titles
across various sports. In football alone, the conference has had 9 national champions: Oregon (2014), USC (2003, 1972), Washington (1991), Stanford (1971), UCLA (1967, 1954), and California (1959). Moreover, the Pac-12 has dominated college basketball with teams such as UCLA (led by John Wooden), Arizona, and Oregon, which have all produced numerous NCAA championships. This success has cemented the Pac-12’s place among the top conferences in collegiate sports.
Recent Struggles
Despite its illustrious past, the Pac-12 faces stiff competition from other Power Five conferences like the
Big Ten
,
SEC
, and
ACC
. The conference has had a hard time keeping pace with the financial resources, media deals, and overall athletic prowess of these conferences. Additionally, several teams in the Pac-12 have underperformed in recent years. This has put immense pressure on the conference to adapt and expand if it wishes to remain competitive.
Necessity for Expansion
In the current landscape of college sports, expansion is no longer just an option but a necessity for conferences looking to maintain their position. The Pac-12 has taken this message seriously and, in 2011, welcomed Colorado and Utah as new members. Although this expansion came at a cost – losing teams like Nebraska and Missouri to the Big Ten – it was seen as an essential move for the conference’s future. The Pac-12 aims to secure lucrative media deals and attract more top talent, both on and off the field.
By understanding the importance of expansion and recognizing both the historical successes and recent struggles, the Pac-12 Conference positions itself to face future challenges with resilience and determination.
The Mountain West Conference as a Target for expansion in the Pac-12 has several compelling reasons.
Geographical fit
Firstly, geographically, the Mountain West Conference (MWC) is an ideal fit for the Pac-1With several existing Pac-12 schools, such as Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, already being part of the MWC, expanding to include more members from this conference would strengthen the overall regional connection. Additionally, many MWC schools share regional demographics and economies with Pac-12 institutions, fostering a sense of community and potential collaboration.
Athletic and academic strengths
Secondly, the athletic and academic strengths of MWC schools provide significant value to the Pac-1In terms of competitive athletics programs, many MWC institutions have demonstrated success in various sports, such as football and basketball. For instance, the University of Boise State has consistently performed well in football, while the University of Nevada, Reno excels in basketball.
Academic Reputation
Furthermore, the academic reputation and research institutions within the MWC add depth to the Pac-1Notable examples include the University of Reno, which is a part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and boasts a strong research focus, especially in areas like biotechnology. The University of Colorado Boulder is another academic powerhouse, known for its programs in fields such as engineering and atmospheric and oceanic sciences.
Potential Collaboration
By welcoming more MWC schools into the Pac-12, there is an opportunity for increased collaboration between institutions. This could lead to groundbreaking research projects, shared resources, and a more robust educational experience for students across the conference.
I Four Potential Candidates for Pac-12 Expansion
Boise State University (Idaho)
- Athletic programs and successes: Boise State has a storied football program, famously known for its blue turf field and high-scoring offenses. The Broncos have made multiple bowl appearances in recent years, including a New Year’s Day bowl game in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2019 season. In men’s basketball, Boise State has been a consistent contender in the Mountain West Conference.
- Academic reputation and research capabilities: Boise State’s academic offerings span 200 undergraduate programs and 75 graduate programs. The university has a strong focus on STEM education, with research initiatives in areas like biomedical sciences, cybersecurity, and renewable energy.
- Potential impact on Pac-12 football and men’s basketball: The addition of Boise State would bring a strong football program into the conference, potentially boosting Pac-12 standings and increasing national exposure.
University of Colorado Boulder (Colorado)
- Athletic programs and successes: Colorado is most known for its football program, which has produced multiple conference champions and bowl victories. In men’s basketball, the Buffaloes have been a consistent force in the Pac-12, often challenging for the conference title.
- Academic reputation and research capabilities: Colorado is a flagship public university with strong programs in fields like environmental studies, engineering, and biology. The university boasts Nobel laureates and National Medal of Science winners among its faculty.
- Potential impact on Pac-12 football and men’s basketball: Adding Colorado would bring a well-established football program and a competitive men’s basketball team into the conference, potentially strengthening Pac-12 standings in both sports.
University of Nevada, Reno (Nevada)
- Athletic programs and successes: Nevada has gained national attention for its football program, which has made multiple bowl appearances in recent years. In men’s basketball, the Wolf Pack have been a force in the Mountain West Conference and reached the NCAA Tournament.
- Academic reputation and research capabilities: Nevada is home to a strong research program, with initiatives in fields like biotechnology, cybersecurity, and renewable energy. The university has a growing focus on STEM education.
- Potential impact on Pac-12 football and men’s basketball: The addition of Nevada would bring a competitive football program and a strong men’s basketball team into the Pac-12, potentially improving conference standings.
University of Utah (Utah)
- Athletic programs and successes: Utah has a storied football program, with multiple conference championships and bowl victories. In men’s basketball, the Utes have been a consistent contender in the Pac-12.
- Academic reputation and research capabilities: Utah has a diverse academic offerings, with a focus on health sciences and engineering. The university boasts several research centers, including the National Center for Women and Information Technology and the Energy and Geoscience Institute.
- Potential impact on Pac-12 football and men’s basketball: Adding Utah would bring a strong football program and a competitive men’s basketball team into the conference, potentially strengthening Pac-12 standings in both sports.
Benefits of Expansion
Expanding the conference brings about numerous advantages for its member institutions. One of the most significant benefits is increased revenue and market share. With expansion comes the opportunity to secure lucrative television contracts and media rights, which can generate substantial revenue for the conference. Additionally, expansion allows for the acquisition of sponsorships, merchandising, and licensing deals, further boosting the conference’s financial resources.
In terms of competitiveness in football and men’s basketball, expansion is a strategic move. The addition of strong athletic programs not only enhances the overall quality of competition within the conference but also helps to balance the conference’s geographical distribution. This ensures that every team has a fair chance to compete and succeed.
Moreover, expansion broadens the fan base and recruiting opportunities. With the addition of new markets and demographics, the conference can tap into a larger pool of fans and potential students. Furthermore, expansion increases access to top talent in the region.
Television Contracts and Media Rights
The ability to secure lucrative television contracts is a major advantage of conference expansion. With more teams, the conference becomes a more attractive proposition for broadcasters, leading to larger financial deals.
Sponsorships, Merchandising, and Licensing Deals
Expansion also increases the conference’s potential for sponsorship deals. With more teams and a larger fan base, there are more opportunities to partner with companies for merchandising and licensing agreements. These deals can provide substantial revenue for the conference.
Addition of Strong Athletic Programs
The addition of strong athletic programs enhances the overall quality of competition within the conference. This not only benefits the new members but also helps to maintain a high level of competitiveness for existing teams.
Balancing the Conference’s Geographical Distribution
Expansion helps to balance the conference’s geographical distribution. By adding teams from different regions, the conference ensures that no single region dominates, creating a more balanced and fair competition landscape.
New Markets and Demographics
Expansion into new markets and demographics broadens the conference’s reach. This not only increases the fan base but also provides opportunities to tap into new revenue streams.
Increased Access to Top Talent in the Region
Expansion increases access to top talent in the region. With a larger pool of potential recruits, teams can build stronger and more competitive rosters, enhancing their competitiveness both on and off the field.
Challenges of Expansion
Expanding the Pac-12 conference comes with a number of challenges that current members must consider. Two of the most significant areas of concern are financial implications and logistical considerations.
Financial Implications for Current Pac-12 Schools
When new members join the conference, sharing revenue and resources becomes a necessity. Current Pac-12 schools may need to divide their television revenues and other shared resources among more teams. Additionally, conference championship revenues could be impacted as the conference expands and potentially adds a championship game. This financial redistribution could put pressure on the current Pac-12 schools to increase revenue in other areas.
Logistical Considerations and Scheduling Conflicts
The logistics of expansion also pose challenges. Travel distances and costs will increase, potentially impacting both athletic departments’ budgets and student-athletes’ schedules. Balancing conference schedules with non-conference opponents will also become more complex, requiring careful planning and scheduling to ensure that all teams have a fair number of home games.
Travel Distances and Costs
As the conference expands, travel distances will increase significantly. For example, adding a team from Colorado or Utah could mean that Pac-12 schools in California and Washington State face longer travel times and higher costs for road games. These additional expenses could impact budgets, potentially affecting other programs or initiatives.
Balancing Conference Schedules with Non-conference Opponents
Maintaining a balance between conference and non-conference schedules will also be crucial. Pac-12 schools may need to schedule more non-conference opponents to ensure that they have a reasonable number of home games each season while still maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the conference schedule.
Academic Requirements and Compliance
Ensuring that new members meet the Pac-12’s academic standards is another essential consideration. The conference prides itself on its academic excellence, and any potential new members must meet the same high standards. Additionally, implementing and enforcing conference rules and policies will be essential to maintain the integrity of the Pac-12’s academic reputation.
VI. Conclusion
Summary of the benefits and challenges of expansion into the Mountain West Conference: Expanding the Pac-12 into the Mountain West Conference presents both significant opportunities and challenges. Benefits include broadening the conference’s geographical reach, increasing television revenue through expanded market coverage, and enhancing football competitiveness through additional talent-rich programs. However, challenges include potential financial burdens from buyouts or membership fees, logistical issues like travel costs and time zone differences, and maintaining conference unity and culture.
The importance of carefully considering each candidate school’s fit within the Pac-12:
Selecting the right Mountain West Conference schools to invite requires thorough evaluation. Considerations should include academic reputation, athletic programs’ competitiveness and potential for growth, geographical fit, and alignment with the Pac-12’s mission and values. The conference must ensure that any new members will contribute positively to the overall success of the league rather than detracting from it.
Anticipated impact on the Pac-12’s long-term success and competitiveness:
Expanding into the Mountain West Conference has the potential to significantly boost the Pac-12’s long-term success and competitiveness. By adding strong football programs, the conference can improve its national profile and attract top recruits. Furthermore, increased television revenue will help fund scholarships, facilities improvements, and other athletic initiatives. However, it’s essential to remember that expansion is not a guarantee of success. Careful planning, strategic decision-making, and effective implementation will be crucial in ensuring the Pac-12’s continued growth and competitiveness within the ever-evolving college sports landscape.
