College Realignment: Texas State, Pac-12 Updates
Texas state is poised to shake up college football. The university is a top contender for Pac-12 expansion, perhaps triggering massive college realignment. Sources reveal the Pac-12 aims to have Texas State on board by 2026. The move is driven by the need to reach the eight football member threshold. Watch for potential shifts across the Sun Belt Conference, with Louisiana Tech emerging as a frontrunner to replace texas State. the Pac-12 has also finalized lucrative TV deals which affects conference realignment, offering a financial advantage. News Directory 3 keeps you informed with the latest updates. Discover what’s next…
Pac-12 Expansion: Texas State, Sun belt and Realignment
Texas state University has emerged as a leading candidate for Pac-12 expansion, sources tell ESPN, a move that could trigger a cascade of realignment decisions throughout college athletics. The potential addition of Texas State is being driven by the Pac-12’s need to secure an eighth football member by 2026.
The speculation gained traction recently when Texas State President Kelly Damphousse reposted an image of beavers in the San Marcos River, seemingly hinting at potential discussions with oregon State (whose mascot is the Beavers). The pac-12 declined to comment.
sources indicate that the Pac-12 is expected to extend a formal invitation to Texas State before July 1, when the school’s buyout to leave the Sun Belt Conference doubles from $5 million to $10 million. While other schools remain in consideration, Texas State is the clear frontrunner.
Texas State,with an enrollment exceeding 40,000,boasts a strong local talent pool and a promising young coach,G.J. Kinne. The university turned down an offer from the Mountain west Conference last fall.
The Pac-12 needs to grow to eight football members to maintain its status as an FBS conference. Gonzaga University is already a non-football member of the conference.
Damphousse has indicated that Texas State expects a full media share if it joins the Pac-12, similar to Gonzaga’s arrangement.
The Pac-12’s previous expansion efforts included adding Fresno state, San diego State, Boise State, and Colorado State last year, but it missed out on UNLV and Air Force. An attempt to bring in Memphis stalled due to financial disagreements over the exit fee from the AAC.
The Pac-12 recently finalized TV deals with the CW,ESPN,and CBS to broadcast Oregon State and Washington State home football games in 2025. Commissioner Teresa Gould has expressed interest in establishing longer-term partnerships.
The financial terms of the new TV deal are projected to be less than initially anticipated, but still more lucrative than remaining in the Mountain West. The Pac-12 is also in mediation with the Mountain West over exit fees owed by the five schools that departed for the Pac-12.
Memphis remains an intriguing option for future realignment. While immediate interest from power leagues is limited, a split conference affiliation has been discussed, with Memphis potentially joining the Pac-12 for football and the Big East for other sports.
If texas State departs the Sun Belt, Louisiana Tech is the favorite to replace them, given its geographic proximity to other Sun Belt schools. Western Kentucky is also under consideration. Conference USA is reportedly strategizing to backfill any potential departures, with tarleton State University as a leading candidate.