The Pac-12 pulled off one of college sports’ most unlikely comebacks. After nearly collapsing when 10 schools fled for safer ground last year, the rebuilt conference locked down a crucial lifeline with its expanded media partnership through The CW Network.
The deal won’t make anyone forget about Big Ten money, but it gives the nine-team conference a fighting chance in the rapidly evolving landscape of college sports. Schools expect to pocket $7-10 million annually from the $70-100 million partnership, putting the Pac-12 in decent company among Group of Five leagues.
How Does the Extended CW Partnership Change Everything for the Pac-12?
The Pac-12 announced its extended partnership with The CW Network through the 2030-31 season on August 27, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the reconstituted conference.
The CW will broadcast 13 regular-season football games annually alongside 35 men’s basketball games and 15 women’s basketball games. Additionally, the network secured exclusive rights to the women’s basketball tournament semifinals and championship games, providing year-round programming for the conference.
While financial terms weren’t officially disclosed, current industry projections suggest the total media package will generate $7-10 million per school annually. This represents a significant step forward for programs that were facing an uncertain future just months ago.
New: The Pac-12 announces it has extended its media rights deal w/ The CW. Will include 13 regular-season football games, 35 MBB games, 15 WBB games + WBB tournament games. pic.twitter.com/wKQLNsOyRI
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) August 27, 2025
CBS Sports remains the conference’s other primary partner, handling football and men’s basketball championship games. The partnership between CBS and The CW creates a powerful broadcast combination, as both are free broadcast networks that don’t require cable subscriptions. This setup gives the Pac-12 nationwide exposure without barriers for viewers.
However, the conference still has more games to sell beyond what CBS and The CW will broadcast. Adding another media partner could potentially increase the conference’s total deal value to $70-100 million annually, creating even better financial outcomes for member schools.
Where Does Pac-12 Revenue Stack Up Against Other Conferences?
The rebuilt Pac-12’s projected payouts place it squarely in the middle tier of college football’s financial landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities for member schools.
Power Four conferences continue to dominate the top end of the revenue spectrum. Big Ten schools earn $75-100 million annually, while the SEC distributes around $53 million per institution. The ACC provides $45 million annually, while the Big 12 pays around $50 million per school.
The Pac-12’s estimated $7-10 million per school falls well below all Power Four conferences but compares favorably to Group of Five leagues. The Mountain West currently distributes $5-7 million annually, while the American Athletic Conference pays approximately $7 million per school. This positioning gives Pac-12 schools a competitive advantage within their new peer group.
What Does This Deal Mean for the Future of the Rebuilt Pac-12?
The media partnership provides crucial stability for a conference that nearly collapsed after mass departures to other leagues. This financial foundation becomes even more important as the conference prepares for its official relaunch.
The rebuilt Pac-12 will field nine schools when it launches in 2026-27. The lineup includes remaining members Oregon State and Washington State, along with new additions such as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Gonzaga (basketball only). This mix brings together established programs with strong regional followings.
Commissioner Teresa Gould highlighted the deal’s significance for the conference’s trajectory: “Our partnership with The CW has been one of mutual growth and transformation, from the development of our Pac-12 Enterprises’ broadcast production business to the significant added value and positive impact to our current and future members via true national reach across 100% of U.S. television households.”
Although the money gap with Power Four conferences remains substantial, the deal secures two critical elements for the conference’s future. The Pac-12 maintains its College Football Playoff access and March Madness automatic bids. A rebuilt Pac-12 will have the same opportunity as any other Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference to earn an automatic qualifying (AQ) bid to the College Football Playoff (CFP), provided it meets the NCAA’s minimum membership requirements. Meanwhile, former Mountain West schools will receive significantly larger payouts than they earned in their previous conference.
The partnership gives the Pac-12 a strong foundation to build upon as college football and basketball continue their rapid transformation. With broadcast stability secured through 2030-31, the conference can focus on competitive success and potentially attracting additional media partners to boost revenue even further.
