College Sports Realignment: Insights From Pac-12 and Big East

The landscape of United States college athletics is undergoing a period of significant upheaval, characterized by conference realignment driven by competitive priorities and shifting media rights economics. This disruption has forced leagues and institutions to transition from reactive survival to proactive strategic planning to maintain relevance in an evolving ecosystem.

In March 2026, Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman shared perspectives on navigating these changes during a session at SportsPro New York. Their experiences highlight two different trajectories of conference evolution: one focused on rebuilding from a collapse and another on successful reinvention.

The Pac-12 and Big East Strategic Approaches

The Pac-12 is currently in a rebuilding phase following the departure of its legacy members. According to SportsPro, the collapse of the conference’s previous structure created a rare opportunity for leadership to reset strategically. This process involves rethinking the conference’s identity and structure to better fit the current college sports landscape, moving beyond simply replacing lost members to create something new.

In contrast, the Big East is cited as a case study in successful reinvention. After experiencing its own period of fragmentation, the conference re-established itself as a leading basketball-focused entity. The Big East’s trajectory emphasizes the importance of a clear brand identity and long-term thinking when managing institutional moves and media partnerships.

FCS Realignment and Transitions

While major conferences navigate structural resets, the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) has seen extensive movement of teams transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). As of April 3, 2026, several programs have completed or are undergoing transitions to higher levels of competition.

Recent and upcoming transitions include:

• James Madison joined the Sun Belt in 2022.
• Sam Houston and Jacksonville State became FBS programs in 2023.
• Kennesaw State joined the FBS in 2024.
• Missouri State and Delaware transitioned to the FBS in 2025.
• North Dakota State is scheduled to join the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026.

the 2026 season will see UC Davis join the Mountain West in all sports except for football, where it will remain in the FCS. Within the FCS, Villanova and William & Mary are both leaving CAA Football to join the Patriot League.

Broader Realignment Trends

The trend of realignment extends to the highest levels of the NCAA. Reports from February 20, 2026, have highlighted various proposals for further shifts, including ideas to shrink the SEC and revive the Big East’s presence in other areas of college sports.

These shifts underscore a broader industry movement where conferences must balance immediate pressures—such as media deals—with future ambitions. The goal for these organizations is to move away from reacting to external forces and instead utilize proactive leadership to define their future roles in the collegiate athletic ecosystem.