Pac-12 and ACC could be teaming up – here's what that could look like

Jul 6, 2022 2:14 PM EDT

Pac-12 and ACC could be teaming up – here's what that might look like

The PAC-12 aims to fortify their membership and increase their media rights revenue, by partnering with the ACC to regain conference value, per reports.

By Paris McGee Jr.

San Francisco, California - As the PAC-12 is aims to fortify their membership and increase their media rights revenue, a possible partnership with the ACC conference has emerged as a way to regain conference value.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham (2nd from l.) of the Utah Utes accepts Pac-12 Conference Championship trophy from Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff. © Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The Pac-12 and ACC are considering a "loose partnership" that would likely entail an inter-conference "championship game" at the end of the season in Las Vegas, according to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd.

The idea of this partnership is to generate more money for the conferences through ESPN, their mutual media rights holder.

The Pac-12 has been in the news relentlessly as it fights for its survival after the loss of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten. Without the California powers, rights are now worth about $30 million, down from approximately $42 million per program when the Trojans and Bruins were in the fold.

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Joining forces would help the Pac-12 and ACC stay relevant and protect them from falling victim to the SEC and Big Ten.

What can this partnership look like?

The Utah Utes vs the Oregon Ducks in a Pac-12 Conference Championship game © Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

So, what could a "loose partnership" with the ACC look like? Well, this could include a shared media rights deal with ESPN, who currently works with both conferences.

Additionally, it could result in a title match-up between the two conference champions, potentially in Las Vegas at the end of the season.

What's more, if the partnership is successful, there can be a number of regular-season crossover games between the conferences in sports like football and men’s basketball, which would broaden the audiences for the university sports programs.

Sounds epic, right?

As we head into a "new college football era" led by money, this partnership could birth the first team in college football history to win two conferences championship titles in one season.

On Tuesday, the league announced it was going to market early to negotiate the rights for its 10 remaining teams. The Pac-12's current contract with ESPN and Fox expires in 2024, though Fox isn't expected to be interested in Pac-12 rights going forward.

Cover photo: Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP