Pac-12 makes official decision on conference expansion

The Pac-12 will not be expanding in the wake of the Big 12 losing Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.

After the announcement of Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, there was some thought that the Pac-12 could be a landing spot for some of the remaining schools from the Big 12.

That’s not going to happen.

The Pac-12 released a statement on Thursday saying the conference will not be expanding.

"“Following consultation with our Presidents, Chancellors and Athletic Directors, the Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to not pursue expansion of our membership at this time. This decision was made following extensive internal discussion and analysis and is based on the current competitive strength and cohesiveness of our 12 universities. It is also grounded in our confidence in our ability as a conference to best support our student-athletes and to grow and thrive both academically and athletically.”"

Pac-12 won’t be expanding, leaving Big 12 schools in flux

The remaining eight members of the Big 12 are likely to stick together at this point with the Big Ten and ACC not looking to expand.

With no place to go, the only option for the “Big 8” is to stick together and explore their own expansion. Schools could include Cincinnati, Houston, Boise State, BYU, among others from outside the Power Five. Nothing is imminent on that front, however, as the “Big 8” will remain a power conference until the departures of Texas and Oklahoma, but once they’re gone, that status could be changed.

When considering conference expansion, it’s not about the number of teams in a conference but about the value the members bring the league. Simply, the schools left in the Big 12 don’t bring the financial value that Texas and Oklahoma bring to the SEC.

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