Arizona the next to leave the Pac-12?
The Pac-12 is holding a meeting tomorrow amid reports Arizona could be on their way to the Big 12
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Tomorrow morning the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors will be meeting with the future of the conference potentially at stake. Conference commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to present a long-awaited proposed media rights deal.
Following the announcement that the University of Colorado would be departing, the Pac-12 put out a statement saying they would embrace expansion following the expiration of their current media rights deal in 2024. But, as of now the conference only has nine committed members with Colorado, Southern California, and UCLA on their way out.
This meeting comes with reports from multiple outlets that the University of Arizona could be the next school to depart the conference and join the Big 12. The monumental decision could hinge on tomorrow's meeting and the proposed rights deal.
ESPN's Pete Thamel has reported that Arizona State and Utah could follow Arizona to the Big 12 writing, "the Pac-12's remaining three of the so-called Four Corner schools -- are expected to lump their futures together."
What's next in realignment?
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 31, 2023
✅Huge meeting tomorrow for alleged P12 TV clarity
✅Look for AZ, ASU and Utah to band together in solidarity.
✅Where does the uncertainty leave ORE/WASH?
✅What's latest from FSU and ACC? https://t.co/SlH6xBbDRb
The Arizona Board of Regents, who oversees Arizona, Arizona State, and NAU, has a special board and executive virtual meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 3 pm PT. However, it is not clear yet if this meeting was scheduled for a vote or discussion in regards to realignment.
One source close to the board said, "it is unlikely, but definitely possible" that the board would approve Arizona leaving the Pac-12 without ASU."
Also per source, ""it is an executive session so any role call is public" so any vote on schools leaving the Pac-12 might not happen until September.
This story will be one to monitor throughout the day tomorrow and beyond.
