Pac-12 conference realignment: Is Texas State a good fit for Teresa Gould's conference?
The persistent rumors about the resurgence of the Pac-12 are not abating. The league is trying to fill out a roster of members and also looking to shore up its media rights situation. With plenty of moving parts, the rumors around the league continue to intrigue.
To make it an eight member conference in football, Teresa Gould could look at some options and Texas State happens to be a feasible one. Making a transition from Sun Belt to once a powerhouse Pac-12 seems to be a major upgrade.
Similarly, the conference is expected to grow once again, back to its Power 5 status and G5 teams trying their luck to make it to the bigger leagues.
While Washington State and Oregon State never left the Pac-12, the plan is to bring the league back to full strength for 2026. To that end, five teams have confirmed Pac-12 membership on that deadline: San Diego State, Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State and Utah State.
Gonzaga has also indicated an intent to join the Pac-12, but the Bulldogs don't have FBS football.
Hence, Texas State would be a significant addition for several reasons. Apart from having eight full-membership schools in the league, the program will also have access to NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff.
Texas State joined FBS in 2012 and was a member of the WAC for one season. Since then, Texas State has been in the Sun Belt Conference. The burgeoning Pac-12 hasn't otherwise raided the Sun Belt for members.
While the conference realignment situation is eternally fluid, expectations of movement from the AAC schools in light of a very public September denial is certainly a bold statement.
Media rights rumors around Pac-12
The Pac-12 hasn't yet finalized a media rights deal, which is not entirely surprising as the league's membership is still very much evolving. Last month, the league officially announced that it had retained Octagon as its agent to negotiate a media rights deal.
September rumors, per Awful Announcing had indicated that the league was seeking a deal for roughly $12 million per league member.
That amount would significantly trail the Power Four leagues, but would still give the new Pac-12 a significant backing to allow its function.
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