The present and future of the Pac-12’s sports conference is on the table Tuesday in a meeting of the league’s presidents, chancellors and athletic directors. This is not Wall Street, but millions of dollars will be discussed. The big question on each school’s minds will be their piece of the pie. Media rights is at the center. It’s the advertising/sponsorship machine that funds athletic programs. First year league Commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to tell the gathering details of his long-awaited TV deal. The “deal” will very much determine the future of the only Power 5 conference member on the West Coast. Schools have already been switching conferences under the lure of making more money now than they are getting in the Pac-12. No more Chip Kelly at UCLA, or Tailback U from USC after this season. Nope. They’re headed to the Big 10. Puts them on the other side of the Rose Bowl seating chart doesn’t it? Colorado is returning to where it came from originally, also next season, the Big 12. Rumors this week have been bouncing all over the field like a way-ward punt about Oregon and Washington possibly going to the Big 10 as well. It’s fun and interesting to listen to the posturing. Here’s the bottom-line, the Big 12 is reportedly offering each conference member $31 million this year because their “deal” is signed, sealed and delivered. Most feel the Pac-12, or is it Pac-9, Pac-7, or Pac-6, will have to have a similar “deal” or it’s “Katie open the barn door!”
