Big news just dropped for college sports fans! The Pac-12 Conference has locked in massive media rights deals with The CW and CBS, securing its future through 2031. With new teams joining the fold, get ready for an exciting new era of football and basketball. Are you ready for the revamped Pac-12 to dominate the airwaves?
A significant development has reshaped the landscape of college athletics, as the Pac-12 Conference officially announced pivotal media rights agreements with The CW and CBS, charting a clear path for its future through the 2030-31 season. This strategic move solidifies the conference’s position within the fiercely competitive world of **College Sports**, ensuring widespread visibility and access for its member institutions.
The multi-year extended partnership with **The CW Network** builds upon an existing relationship, while the inclusion of CBS as a primary long-term media partner through a five-year agreement underscores the comprehensive nature of these new **Media Rights** deals. Both agreements are set to expire concurrently in 2031, providing a unified and stable broadcast platform for the revitalized conference.
Central to this evolution is the composition of the “rebuilt” Pac-12. Following recent shifts in collegiate alignments, the conference will feature historical strongholds Washington State and Oregon State, alongside a host of new and dynamic members including Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State, Gonzaga (for basketball), and crucially, Texas State.
The addition of Texas State is particularly significant, as it provides the conference with the necessary eighth member to achieve recognition as an FBS conference by the NCAA. This status is vital for eligibility in the coveted College Football Playoff, a key aspiration for the future of **NCAA Football** within the Pac-12.
This renewed focus on broad national reach reflects a strategic shift from the conference’s past. Following the unexpected collapse of the traditional Pac-12 in August 2023, The CW swiftly stepped in, agreeing to broadcast football games for both Washington State and Oregon State. This demonstrated a clear prioritization of visibility across 100% of U.S. television households over merely incremental revenue gains.
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould emphasized the mutual growth and transformative journey shared with The CW, highlighting the development of Pac-12 Enterprises’ broadcast production business and the added value to current and future members through extensive national reach for both **College Basketball** and football.
Echoing this sentiment, CW Network President Brad Schwartz expressed enthusiasm for solidifying the relationship, having witnessed firsthand the passion of Oregon State and Washington State football programs. The network is eager to introduce the seven new schools to its nationwide audience, promising dynamic collegiate programs to viewers.
With these foundational agreements in place, the **Pac-12 Conference** anticipates further announcements regarding additional media rights partnerships as those discussions reach finalization, signaling an ongoing and robust expansion for this reinvigorated chapter in college athletics.
