Report: Big 12 in 'deep discussions' over poaching six remaining Pac-12 programs
The breakup of the Pac-12 continues.
On Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reported that the Big 12 is involved in “deep discussions” to add multiple Pac-12 teams, with four teams specifically listed and two other teams in consideration. It was reported last week that Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado would be targeted by the Big 12.
From @dennisdoddcbs: Big 12 in deep discussions to add up to six Pac-12 teams after USC, UCLA defections to Big Tenhttps://t.co/jDRSmSk4zi
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) July 5, 2022
The report from Dodd also mentions the possibility of the Big 12 adding Oregon and Washington to form an 18-team league. Another option: a Big 12/Pac-12 merger.
According to longtime Pac-12 columnist John Canzano, however, a “high-ranking official” at one of the four schools mentioned above said there is no meeting on the books with the Big 12 and that Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff is working well behind the scenes to try and save the league.
There’s quite a bit of angst remaining in the wake of USC and UCLA’s decision to jump from the Pac-12 and join the Big Ten. Oregon and Washington have been linked to the Big Ten ever since news broke of the L.A. departures. Questions about the Pac-12’s viability have lingered.