How much money do Pac-12 schools make? Annual earnings of FBS powerhouse explored
The Pac-12 conference has a history that goes back 100 years in the world of college football.
Over time, the conference has been known by various names:the Big Five, Big Six, Pacific-8 and Pacific-10. When Utah and Colorado joined, it was renamed the Pac-12.
The conference is a part of the Power 5 and houses several ranked teams in the world of college football. That makes fans wonder about the money these programs make in the conference.
How much money do Pac-12 schools make?
According to the latest reports, teams in this conference made around $37 million for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
The conference officials released a statement that claimed the league made $581 million in terms of revenue, out of which $444 million was used for distribution among its member program.
Despite it being the highest distribution number in the conference's history, it's still nowhere near what other Power 5 conference teams make.
Pac-12's current television deal expires next year and so far, they have nof negotiated a new one. That puts a question mark on the potential future earnings of its member teams.
The Big 12 recently signed a new media rights deal with Fox, CBS and NBC. This new deal ensures that their member programs earn more than $60 million in revenue over the next seven years.
The massive Pac-12 exodus
Given the cloud of uncertainty looming around the conference's future, 10 of the 12 teams have already announced their decision to leave next year.
USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington are heading to the Big Ten next year. Meanwhile, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State will be a part of the Big 12 conference starting in 2024, while California and Stanford will join the ACC.
According to reports, both USC and UCLA were unhappy with the revenue distribution system of the Pac-12.
With the Big Ten bringing in the most in terms of revenue, it's rumored that these two programs will earn double in the Big Ten conference.
Hence, the future of the conference lies in turmoil. Without a new media rights deal and with just two members left (Oregon State and Washington State), what will the conference do to revive itself from the brink of collapse?