Chance of Keeping UCLA / USC

[EmersonUte]

So I saw the Canzano / Walton stuff and it got me thinking about if there’s anything the remaining PAC members could do to keep UCLA and USC?  And how do you do it without offending Oregon – who is right there with them in terms of value?

Here’s my idea.  In the new TV contract, the first 50% of revenue is split equally between all members of the conference.  The last 50% is split proportionally based on the previous year’s tv viewership.  I think this gives some kind of hat tip to the fact that UCLA / USC have a huge market and will likely always have good viewership – even in down years.  

However, it also recognizes that Oregon, Utah, and others – when their program is good – will draw more viewership than the average bear and in a sense earn more $$$.  I’d be open to this if it helps us keep the PAC together.  I think this kind of punishes the Colorado / Arizonas of the world for remaining bad and not investing appropriately in football as well…

I’m gonna dig and see if I can find TV numbers to see what that would have meant based on 2021 viewership.

[UtahFootballGM]

they both gone. 

[Central Coast Ute]

No chance of keeping USC. UCLA only has a slim chance and that’s only if the board regents force it, which I don’t think they will, but they could make it so it’s not worth it, I.E. making them subsidize Cal, but even that I only give a very slim chance of happening.

[RedRocks]

I wish. Unfortunately, I don’t see any real chance of this happening.

[UteThunder]

That’s a creative idea for distributing the TV money, but that won’t be enough money to keep them here. Right now, they have a guaranteed 70+ million. With the model you presented, they might get to 60 million in a good year. Even with USC & UCLA, the Pac-12 contract won’t come close to the B1G.

The other problem with this idea: ASU, Arizona, and Colorado would probably say “the hell with this” and split for the BigXII. 

[EmersonUte]

yeah, but $60 million in a good year and travel that makes sense?  I can’t wait for the articles in two years about how UCLA’s athletic department is still losing money.   

[Central Coast Ute]

No one would split for the Big 12 and their $32m for what they’ll get in the PAC. Even with this scenario, the PAC brings more.

[AlaskaSteveUteAlum]

I think that a league giving teams an unequal amount of money is a recipe for disaster. The only way USC and UCLA returns to the PAC-12 is if the Big Ten implodes—which is likely with sixteen teams and some big financial egos. Just stand pat and buy some popcorn. NIL and greed is behind all of this, which is why rule have to be enacted, and strictly enforced.

[EmersonUte]

alaskaSteve – 

I agree its ultimately a recipe for disaster – but its what they’re all chasing.  I’m wondering is where does this end?  Seems like there will be 1 conference consisting of Alabama, Georgia, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, Texas, Oklahoma, if it keeps going like this.  Its just frustrating watching the game and recruiting fall apart.

still, I’d take UCLA back and add just San Diego.  That’s fine by me.

[Central Coast Ute]

I think it’s going to a pro league with 4 divisions, The Pacific division, the north, the south and the east. Everyone else will be farm teams for the pro league.

[AlaskaSteveUteAlum]

EmersonUte,
Central Coast Ute is correct. NIL and greed will push the top money-chasing schools to a minor league pro football situation—and four regional leagues are likely. The rest of the schools will likely remain in the NCAA as Div. I (FBS/FCS), Div. II, and Div. III.

[Author]

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