The new-look Pac-12 is actively searching for long-term media partners ahead of its expansion in 2026. A recent report suggests that this will involve games airing on multiple networks, accompanied by a streaming component. According to a report in Front Office Sports, Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould confirmed in an interview that the conference anticipates a media rights package featuring various broadcast networks.
After facing significant challenges due to conference realignment, which left it with only Oregon State and Washington State, the Pac-12 has added five teams from the Mountain West: Boise State, Utah State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State. Furthermore, a separate report indicated that Fox Sports, ESPN, and CBS are still interested in potentially bidding on the new conference’s rights. Gould also suggested to FOS that the conference will need “a strong streaming platform in addition to traditional linear channels.”
The mention of multiple broadcast networks by Gould is noteworthy. This could include Fox and CBS, but it might also mean continuing the partnership with a network like The CW, which aired Oregon State and Washington State home games in 2024. While it appears unlikely that the Pac-12 will match the media rights fees of its previous deals—approximately $30 million per year—it could adopt a strategy similar to NASCAR, which has recently secured substantial increases in rights fees by partnering with multiple broadcast entities. By distributing its inventory across several partners, the Pac-12 aims to maximize its television revenue. Currently, Pac-12 games are set to air across three platforms next year, leaving the final details to be determined.
