Oregon & Washington talking to Big 12? UofA? Stanford?

Tweets be a-flying’ that Oregon and Washington leaders teleconferenced with Big 12 leadership Thursday.

Also that Arizona is working quietly to improve its position.

And it’s being reported that Big 12 leaders would truly love to add Stanford to the ranks. Fantastic academics and big old Pac 12 media draw, 3rd or 4th behind departing USC and UCLA. Actually a national brand, similar to Notre Dame in that respect.

I’d love Stanford — but are they really interested in the Big 12? They haven’t been in the past. But the times they are a changing, and with that maybe minds…?

And the possibility of adding big state flagship schools such as Oregon, Arizona and Washington… wow!

How many more will join Colorado in moving to the Big 12 after the 2023-24 season?

Note that reports are that media partners ESPN and Fox want to cap size at 16.

Right now, after OUt leaves and CU returns, the Big 12 will be just 13 starting with the 2024-25 season.

So 3 openings for
4 schools

1 Arizona
2 Oregon
3 Stanford
4 Washington

My preference would be 1, 2 & 3.

Sorry, sasnak.

247Sports: Arizona's next step in realignment should be obvious

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When Colorado announced its move to the Big 12 on Thursday, it laid out the reasons why it became the only option for the future of its athletics department.

“After careful thought and consideration, it was determined that a switch in conference would give CU Boulder the stability, resources, and exposure necessary for long-term future success in a college athletics environment that is constantly evolving,” a joint statement from Chancellor Philip DiStefano and Athletic Director Rick George read.

Are you listening Arizona?

We fully acknowledge that every school in the Pac-12 wanted to keep the conference together. After all, it would have meant that there was a good enough media deal in place and that George Kliavkoff was able to deliver the stability that the conference members want so badly.

Unfortunately, that’s just not the case. There are no hard numbers being presented and no end in sight for the conference.

Kliavkoff held a meeting with Pac-12 Presidents and Athletic Directors on Thursday and sources indicate to WildcatAuthority that it could not have gone worse. At a time where the schools want and need clarity, Kliavkoff was unable to give it.

We’ve said in the past that every school would be looking out for its best interests and that has never been the case more than it is now. Schools are on the phones with other conferences trying to secure their future and the unity statements are somehow less meaningful than they were before.

Arizona is known to be next up. There are conversations with the Big 12 that have already been had and we expect those to pick up significantly. Colorado was much further down the line than any school involved in the process, but Arizona is second. The Wildcats know the pitch from the Big 12 and have gone about the process the right way.

The Wildcats never wanted to be the first to go and Colorado got that out of the way. Robbins (UA President) will now ask for numbers like he has in the past and they won’t be presented. Eventually the Big 12 will push a little bit and when that happens, Arizona is likely to go.

We know there are no guarantees in the realignment process. Maybe Kliavkoff finds a way to add SMU as soon as 2024 and then proceeds to add San Diego State and find a TV deal that somehow keeps the conference together for five years.

That seems entirely unlikely, but crazier things have happened. Arizona does not believe internally a deal is likely and has not this entire time, but Robbins is at least giving Kliavkoff an opportunity.

Colorado said the same thing Robbins has been saying in the entire process and then decided to make the move when it becomes too obvious to ignore. Arizona seems to be on a similar path.

As of now, forget the deadlines. These things never move as fast as people think and it’s not as easy as picking up a phone and announcing a few minutes later. This could take time to play out and there are other schools wanting in the Big 12 now. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s Arizona’s decision to make first and one that is becoming all too obvious.