The Pac-12 will not expand to a 16-team conference, we learned on Tuesday night. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott released a statement informing us that schools officials from all current universities decided to remain at 12 teams and seek no further changes to the conference.
Adding Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State would upset the plans the conference had already put together, including the Pac-12 Network deal that could bring in several billion dollars.
Oklahoma and Texas each voted to seek other options outside of the Big 12 Conference, but now their futures hit a brick wall. While Pac-12 expansion has seemingly stopped, the future of the Big 12, the Big East, the SEC and the ACC are still up in the air. Texas A&M to the SEC still is in the works, as is Missouri to be the conference's 14th team.
We're not done yet.
Here is the statement in full:
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.– In light of the widespread speculation about potential scenarios for Conference re-alignment, the Pac-12 Presidents and Chancellors have affirmed their decision to remain a 12-team conference. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, "after careful review we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference. While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve. With new landmark TV agreements and plans to launch our innovative television networks, we are going to focus solely on these great assets, our strong heritage and the bright future in front of us."
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