Rumors and speculation about possible Pac-12 Conference realignment and expansion are swirling again, to the point that the members of the Pac-12 Conference Board released a joint statement on Monday, saying that the 10 schools are "united in our commitment to one another."
The statement said: "The 10 Pac-12 universities look forward to consummating successful media rights deal(s) in the very near future. Based upon positive conversations with multiple potential media rights partners over the past weeks, we remain highly confident in our future growth and success as a conference and united in our commitment to one another."
The conference continues to find itself included in realignment and expansion chatter. Could the conference add more schools? Could the conference lose schools? What's going on with the conference's media rights situation?
Check out some of the latest speculation about the Pac-12:
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Sports Media Podcast: Bleak media rights outlook for Pac-12
"There was one big deal to be had and the Big 12 got in there and got it," John Ourand said. "Things are not looking great right now for the Pac-12 from a linear TV perspective."
The Oklahoman: Big 12 ready to pounce on Pac-12
Berry Tramel wrote: "The Big 12 —itself in precarious mode when OU and Texas pledged allegiance to the Southeastern Conference 19 months ago— feels empathy for the Pac-12. But not enough to stop lusting after some combination of Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Arizona State and Arizona."
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Action Network: CBS, Turner pull out of Pac-12 media rights negotiations
Brett McMurphy wrote: "CBS & Turner are currently no longer involved in Pac-12’s media rights negotiations, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ"
Sports Illustrated: Big 12 should raid the Pac-12
Schuyler Callihan wrote: This would be the most ideal situation for the league. Landing big-time athletic programs that are competitive in multiple sports, not just football and basketball. The addition of Oregon would be massive. As would Colorado - a former member of the league. These six schools in particular have been mentioned in conference expansion rumors dating back to last summer. Andaccording to Dennis Dodd of CBS, "everything is on the table", including a possible merger with the PAC 12.
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Action Network: San Diego State, SMU top Pac-12 expansion candidates
Brett McMurphy wrote last week: "Pac-12 commish George Kliavkoff visiting SMU Wednesday, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. San Diego State & SMU are top Pac-12 expansion candidates. Pac-12 needs more members & more inventory for new media rights deal, which is expected to rely heavily on digital streaming services."
Longhorns Wire: Big 12 should target ASU, Arizona in conference expansion
CJ Mumme wrote: "Arizona is a solid brand that makes sense in the geographical footprint of the Big 12. The Wildcats are competitive in many major sports, including exceptional basketball and baseball programs. Arizona State is a natural fit to join the Big 12 Conference for the same reasons as Arizona. Bringing in the two Arizona schools adds a fun new rivalry to the Big 12."
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The Athletic: Pac-12 struggling to find media rights partners
It wrote: "Three people with knowledge of the discussions said commissioner George Kliavkoff is struggling to find partners willing to pay close to what the league is seeking. Two of those sources said Kliavkoff overpromised his members on how many bidders there would be and what dollar amount they could command — a target north of $40 million per school, according to one league athletic director. Today, it’s uncertain whether the Pac-12 will even be able to exceed the $31.6 million average the Big 12 reportedly landed in a six-year extension with ESPN and Fox it reached last fall."
Pistols Firing: Pac-12 can still be pilfered
Kyle Cox wrote: "The demand for the Pac-12 continues to wane and the Big 12 could take advantage with a number of Pac-12 schools listed as suitors the last time the Big 12 was taking applications. The league showed particular interest in Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah last year. Will it make a push for some or all of them on this go-round? Where does a possible hoops-only addition of Gonzaga fit in?"
San Jose Mercury News: SMU, San Diego State on Pac-12's radar
Jon Wilner wrote: "The university presidents discussed SMU and San Diego State as expansion candidates during a meeting last week. And approved commissioner George Kliavkoff taking the next step in the complicated process of adding membership, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting."
Sports Illustrated: Fresno State, Boise State, Tulane, UNLV also options for Pac-12
Kevin Borba wrote: "Let's take a look at the four schools that could be potential candidates if the Pac-12 were to expand from 10 to 14 teams following the departure of USC and UCLA. Again, they could add six schools but it will not equate to the value they lost. Adding four programs of any kind is solely to inflate the value of what is left. The Pac-12 has a place in college football, and the playoff expanding and their "Pac-12 after dark" time slot only helps them prevent extinction and the blowing up of the conference like people are suggesting again."
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Hawkeyes Wire: Pac-12 teams make sense for Big 12
Jacob Keppen wrpte: "I’m just going to lump all of these into one selection, because it’s been talked about to death over the past however many months. Oregon, Washington, Utah, Stanford, California. Take your pick. All of them make sense for their own various reasons."
CBS Sports: Big 12 ready to take in some Pac-12 teams
Dennis Dodd wrote: "It has now been more than seven months since USC and UCLA announced plans to leave the Pac-12. Industry sources have begun to wonder why it has taken Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff so long to strike a deal. Whatever that deal becomes, it is expected to include more than half of the Pac-12's games on a streaming platform. That would be unprecedented for a Power Five conference. If the Pac-12 continues to take its time or struggles to come to an agreement, the unspoken stance held by the Big 12 -- at least publicly -- is that some of those West Coast schools might get nervous about the league's security and stability. There is now a former Midwest-based conference ready to take them in."
Reach Jeremy Cluffatjeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com.Follow him on Twitter@Jeremy_Cluff.
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