Arizona State opponent Colorado is leaving the Pac-12

TEMPE, Ariz. — Pac-12 schools like Arizona State have been patient. The (remaining) schools sat by and watched two perennial athletic powerhouses leave the Conference of Champions for the Big 10. They sat and waited for a new TV deal, and many schools are still waiting. However, at least one school has decided they’re done waiting. According to initial reports, Colorado is off to the Big-12.

Colorado returning to Big 12, starting in 2024, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. After 12 seasons in Pac-12, Buffaloes – and Ralphie – run back to become 13th school in Big 12, where they were members from 1948-2010. Official announcement later todayhttps://t.co/IOo8LWB2Jd pic.twitter.com/R5KUsZbMZG

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 27, 2023

Colorado is leaving the Pac-12

Out of nowhere, various sources began to report that Colorado would join the Big 12 in 2024. Of course, the Buffaloes used to be members of the Big 12 prior to entering the Pac-12 in the summer of 2010. At that point in time the conference was actually the Pac-10.

Realignment in college football conferences has been a whirlwind to follow. With new and expiring TV deals nationwide, it’s become open season.

With now three Pac-12 schools set to leave the conference in the next few years, it looks like the once proud west coast conference is sinking. The Big 12 and Big Ten (and maybe others soon) have been hunting Pac-12 schools to lure them away from the inconsistent and incompetent leadership.

Why is the Pac-12 failing?

Money.

The Big Ten just signed a seven-year TV deal with three national networks: CBS, Fox, and NBC. The deal is worth a staggering $1.2 billion dollars annually.

The Big 12 recently renewed their TV deal that was set to expire in 2025. The conference is now locked in with ESPN until 2031.

Meanwhile, the Pac-12 still doesn’t have a TV deal in place after their current one expires in 2024. TV deals pay a nice check to the schools, so having one (and a lucrative one) in place is essential to the survival of the conference.

What does this mean for Arizona State?

While all of this is speculation, one thing is certain as of right now. The Pac-12 is falling apart. USC and UCLA shook the conference, but Colorado might be what pushes the conference into a freefall.

Prior to Colorado’s departure, reports had suggested that the remaining 10 teams were standing pact in the Pac-12. Colorado’s sudden departure could panic other schools and force them to act quickly. If Pac-12 leadership doesn’t do something to comfort their remaining nine universities, Colorado won’t be the only departure.

So what does this mean for Arizona State?

The Sun Devils could stay with the Pac-12, but with the current information available to the public, that seems foolish. From the outside looking in, the best option could be joining the Big-12 with Colorado… and maybe others.

A move to the Big-12 would mean more money, better competition, and a better national brand for Arizona State. In theory that should be the goal. However, there’s a lot going on behind closed doors.

Arizona State’s athletic future is in the hands of Ray Anderson and Michael Crow.

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