Here’s what I would do if I’m Utah, Colorado, Arizona State, and Arizona. This is of course if they want to make this work in the PAC 12 and not go to the Big 12.
They go to Oregon, Cal, Stanford, and Washington and tell them that they will sign a grant of rights for x amount of years in this next TV negotiation and not waiver from that. If they don’t sign a grant of rights then we are bolting for the Big 12.
Yes, Oregon, Cal, Washington, and Stanford may end up getting into the Big 10 eventually, but in the meantime they’re going to be sitting through Mountain West conferences schedules until that happens.
This was from a Utah sports radio guy who suggested this idea and I actually agree with him. No one’s going to be left high and dry more if those Big 10 targets in the Pac-12 leave then Utah, Colorado, ASU, and Arizona on the next TV deal, so play a little hardball with them.
Tell them we’ll leave first and you guys can mire in the bad schedule until you’re picked up. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but just in case, have that strategy in mind.
Like many of you, my preference is to stay in the PAC 12. I’d rather not go to the Big 12, but taking this strategy head on, we’ll know where their heart is and if this marriage with the rest really is going to work.
It will also reveal if they do have something secret happening behind closed doors. If they’re not fazed by that ultimatum then we know that they’re talking to the Big 10 and is getting really close to joining. If they do bulk at the ultimatum and do sign the grant of rights then we know talks have not really began or started. It would be a shrewd tactic, but an effective one if done well.
Iowa State @ 
Utah 
