San Diego State to Remain in Mountain West, Leaving Pac-12 With More Questions
The Pac-12’s latest media rights deadline was pushed back again late last week, sending us into the month of July without a deal on the table.
This time around though the missed deadline has tangible consequences as San Diego State, the Pac-12’s most sensical expansion candidate, will miss out on its chance to make the jump to the Power Five.
According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, SDSU plans to remain in the Mountain West Conference as the Pac-12’s media rights deal got pushed back again.
Prior to July 1, the Aztecs were looking to get out of the Mountain West and even went as far as to inquire about an exit in a letter to the conference.
After July 30th San Diego State’s buyout increased from around $16.5 million to $34 million and, since the Mountain West denied SDSU’s request for an extension, the chance to leave has come and gone.
Now, could the Aztecs still try to find the money to make their way to the Pac-12? Sure, but it simply wouldn’t make sense financially. $34 million wouldn’t be chump change to most Power Five programs, let alone a Mountain West school.
With the Pac-12’s best opportunity for expansion now off the table, the conference will have to try and figure something else out to get television partners excited.
The league’s current agreement with ESPN ends on July 1, 2024, and the uncertainty has Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State weighing all their options for the future, according to Dodd.
Does San Diego State’s decision to remain in place doom the Pac-12? Not necessarily, but it takes another option off the table for George Kliavkoff and company.
