Report: Big 12 contacts multiple Pac-12 programs, renews 'optimism' for realignment

The Big 12 reportedly has reached out to multiple Pac-12 schools and Gonzaga about possible expansion, The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel and Max Olson reported. It might depend on what happens with the Pac-12 media rights negotiations, though.

The Big 12 has made “recent contact” with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah as it weighs expanding even further, Mandel and Olson wrote Friday. Those are the “Four Corners” schools and the league has “renewed optimism” about getting them to make the jump from the Pac-12.

Reports and rumors have swirled about Gonzaga to the Big 12 for some time, and The Athletic reported Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has been in “deep discussions” with Gonzaga about making the jump from the West Coast Conference. But Mandel and Olson wrote that “sources involved in the process indicated he wants clarity on the Pac-12’s situation before making that move.” Yormark met with Gonzaga’s athletic director twice, The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported in November.

More on the futures of the Big 12, Pac-12

The Big 12 is adding four schools — Cincinnati, BYU, Houston and UCF — this fall as it prepares to lose Oklahoma and Texas in 2024. That’ll take the league to 16 teams in 2023 before going to 14 in ’24.

As for the Pac-12, things remain in flux regarding the league’s media rights talks. On3’s Eric Prisbell recently reported that the league may have to make a decision between dollars and exposure. The conference is also going through those conversations knowing its two highest-profile institutions — USC and UCLA — are leaving for the Big Ten in 2024. There have also been rumors of Pac-12 expansion involving San Diego State and SMU as the rights negotiations rolled on. Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff visited SMU and took in a basketball game, On3 and On The Pony Express’ Billy Embody reported.

Reports suggest a deal could be announced soon, and the big-picture future of the league could start to come into focus when that happens. Pac-12 athletic directors have voiced their displeasure with the negotiations. That includes Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson, who spoke at length about the process and keeping the 10 schools together last month.