Tracking Oregon, Pac-12 reports amidst a 'roller coaster' day
The morning of August 4, 2023, will go down as one of the more chaotic days in the history of the Pac-12.
After weeks of endless speculation regarding the future of the conference and its media deal, the rumor damns burst Friday as a flurry of reputable reports emerged detailing the future plans of Oregon, Washington, and the Pac-12 as a whole.
In case you missed anything, here’s a running tracker of everything you need to know amidst a pivotal day for the future of college football.
The latest reports regarding Oregon, Pac-12 future
— 11:57 p.m.: Just before midnight, James Crepea of The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Oregon will accept an invite to the Big Ten if offered.
— 6:20 a.m.: Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo reported that ‘the tides were turning’ and the Pac-12 would meet Friday morning to sign a Grant of Rights deal.
— 6:28 a.m.: Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic reported that ‘Oregon and Washington’s exit from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten appears to have lost momentum overnight.’
— 6:37 a.m.: Minutes later, Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated reported that the Pac-12 would meet at approximately 7 a.m. Friday morning and potentially agree to a new Grant of Rights in order to keep the conference intact.
— 6:45 a.m.: Brett McMurphy of Action Network reported the Pac-12 may stay together, and Arizona had made a U-turn after looking to leave the conference earlier this week.
— 6:51 a.m.: ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Oregon could be the ‘linchpin’ for a Grant of Rights deal being signed.
— 7:21 a.m.: Columnist John Canzano reported that all nine remaining Pac-12 Universities’ presidents or chancellors were present at the meeting.
— 7:54 a.m.: The tides turned once again when Pete Thamel and Heather Dinich of ESPN reported that the Pac-12 is ‘is unlikely to land the plane in order to get its media rights deal signed on Friday.
— 7:58 a.m.: Auerbach reported that the Big Ten’s situation with Washington and Oreogn remains ‘fluid.’ Auerbach also noted that the Big Ten presidents and chancellors will meet today.
— 8:01 a.m.: McMurphy reported that the Pac-12 was unable to get a Grant of Rights deal signed and that Oregon and Washington are ‘expected to be Big Ten bound.’
— 8:11 a.m.: Wetzel reported that the fate of the Pac-12 ‘likely rests on if Oregon can make a deal with the Big Ten.’
—8:58: Thamel reported that Oregon and Washington are ‘fully engaged’ with the Big Ten.
