PAC-12 and Mountain West Media Values - What options do they have and what is the value?

[@user-od3hf1rm9h]

1) Length of media contract. The next realignment will happen when power conference media deals expire in 2030. So only agree to a term that serves your objectives when this happens. 2) Streaming and linear are not mutually exclusive. They each reach a different demographic. I doubt this suggestion will happen but I would like to see smaller media deals for the PAC but have games broadcast on both platforms. So in aggregate the two smaller deals would exceed one exclusive deal and push the revenue over $10 million and gain maximum exposure. 3) You guys understand the PAC's ability to produce their own games is a nice advantage but sometimes I think it gets overlooked by others. Good show guys. You discuss things nobody else covers.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Thanks. We like to try and dig deeper than most and give substance to our discussions and our viewers.

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

IMO both conferences need to focus on time slots that minimize conflicts with P4 and getting quality OOC matchups. BYU vs Boise annually would be epic.

[@thatcollegefootballguy]

Some people may be mad about your media deal estimates but I think you're right on point. Media partners don't want to spend one penny more than they absolutely have to. It will be interesting to see what the final media deal amounts are.

[@stephono1]

Out of all the streaming options for the PAC-12 I think Netflix is the most interesting. They are investing heavily into live entertainment and could be willing to pay more than usual. The Christmas Day streams they did for the NFL were high quality, I wonder if some of that infrastructure could be carried over?

[@MisterEarthSaver]

Coming from a MAC person, drop your outlook on the thursday games IMMEDIATELY. Friday is fine because people dont have work the next day. You want to completely kill your fanbase and ticket revenue? Play on days when people have work the next day. TRUST ME. The extra "tv exposure" for weeknight games is not worth it at all. Leave it alone. Fridays and Saturdays only.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

We hear ya.

[@Josh1888USU]

Was coming here to say the exact same thing. The prospect of getting away from that BS is exactly why NIU is joining the MWC!

[@drgat6953]

Thursday night games are not the same as Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday night football has been very popular for the NFL. And most teams will only play one Thursday game a year which means a thursday home game every other year. Fans can take a PTO day every other year if working the day after is such an issue.

[@TheOceanMan-xc7qp]

Then again playing weekday nights you have no competition and can use that to your advantage

[@GO-kg2dw]

PAC get 12.5 per team and MW gets 4. You heard it here first

[@drgat6953]

I don't think 12.5 will be enough to draw AAC schools to the PAC. Which will really undermine the goal of this entire endeavor (creating the best G5/6 conference)

[@GO-kg2dw]

@ if the pac has the ability to payout most/all of their conference buyouts I think the AAC members jump

[@davidethompson1271]

​@@drgat6953 The newcomers in the AAC, like UTSA have a smaller buyout as their payout is only $5 mil next year. That's only $12.5 mil in exit fees compared to Memphis and Tulane at $27 mil. A full MW share at $10 mil would be quite enticing.

[@BenWelch-x4b]

I think the pac will get Texas state and make 11-12 mil. I also think they add at Mary’s once football is added.. basketball conference will be elite

[@davidethompson1271]

For those who believe the MW and PAC are equals, that the two should stay together, or that the MW is winning realignment, here are some cold hard facts : Since becoming a 12 Team League in 2013-14, there have been twelve CCG's . CCG appearances, Pac 18 - MW 6 MWC Titles, Pac 11 - MW 1 Bowl Games - Pac 42 - MW 33. That averages out 8.4 Bowls per PAC School and 4.8 per MW squad. On the Basketball side: NCAAT bids, Pac 18 - MW 9 NCAAT credits, Pac 28 - MW 12. One of these Leagues is not like the other.

[@jesterscorner879]

Yup, not a good look when the MW paid millions of dollars to keep a couple of schools that are 25 year members of the MWC and haven't won a single conference title in football.

[@terryfox9344]

Thanks for the very level-headed analysis. The only comment I have would be that Thursday and Friday night games, might be a problem for the MWC and PAC because of the time difference. It could be hard to get fans to the game before 6 PM on a week night. Steve's comment about doubleheaders on TV might work with the Western teams taking the later window. Finally, when you address future realignment, are the MWC and UC Davis just waiting on the House settlement before moving their football team.

[@robarguello6895]

The MWC already has Friday games

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

We believe there are several reasons why UC Davis hasn’t added football yet. The House settlement being one of them. FCS playoffs, facilities, and funding (for now) being some others.

[@ryansuter4424]

Well done! Thank you

[@jeh58]

I think that both the PAC12 & MWC will go multiple partners.

[@johnhawkes4048]

Hey Steve ""WE ARE"" Baby! We are getting ready to add a big chunk of glass to the old Trophy 🏆 case!!!!!

[@mathewblood5113]

I think what Commissioner Gould means by “transformational” = Streaming. I will be really interested to see if a streamer like Apple or Amazon Prime Video are in the fold. If you remember, just before the old PAC fell apart AppleTV was pitching a minimum payout with an escalator clause for subscriptions which could have ended up being very lucrative. They may be considering it.

[@robarguello6895]

The current composition of the PAC is not going to drive subscriptions at any level close to the pre-collapse PAC

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

It’s possible. But it’s a hard pill to swallow regarding exposure.

[@mathewblood5113]

@@TheBigMountainPodcastexposure vs $$$ is a balancing act. I think it’ll be a combination of linear (ESPN/FS1) and a Streaming partner.

[@SurfCityBill]

If streaming payment is based on subscription numbers than it is going to be a problem. People are overloaded with subscriptions.

[@davidethompson1271]

​@@robarguello6895 While most of the country doesn't care about the Pac, their fanbase is very solid. I can see these Schools generating enough subscriptions to increase their payouts.

[@SurfCityBill]

If the PAC got $10m, I'd be satisfied. That's about double the MW teams, including Boise, are making now.

[@michaelsimler7218]

Good discussion, love the AF T-Shirt, have one and FYI, the Falcons are going to be much improved in 25. Big ? mark is their D line.

[@jjmcclure2538]

Thank you for sharing your opinions. Any idea when an announcement will be made? I know the Pac should be done by July 1st, but what about the MWC?

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Nevarez said “summer” prior to the departures. The PACs will likely come first this spring.

[@davidethompson1271]

It has to. There is no way a carrier will commit to the MW dollar and exposure wise before they know what the money Schools in the nPac are worth.

[@curtismn31]

I don’t know why nobody’s looking at KZbin and KZbin TV. That’s where I will go as a partnership if the tax companies will work together Amazon, Apple, and Google. They can put a package deal together where they each can invest a certain amount where this is not as much risk and be able to pay to school decent.

[@mattschnuck3821]

I was disappointed you didn't get involved more on the basketball side of the discussion with the MWC. It has to be a factor with the additions of Grand Canyon and UC Davis. As for TNT Sports for basketball starting in 25-26, TNT Sports will feature more than 65 from the Big East and 15 games from the Big 12.

[@jeh58]

BTW the PAC has taken trade marks out on PAC8, PAC9, PAC10, PAC11, & already has PAC12.

[@htvlogs80]

They have also taken trade marks for "Pacific Athletic Conference." PAC

[@nc30dave]

I’m hoping both go on streaming platforms as access to College Football in the UK sucks. Hopefully Apple or Netflix. I know Apple made the MLS available in the UK so I’m hoping it goes that way, preferably for both.

[@pblood40]

Pac-12 taking a streaming only deal for the cash would be the best thing for the Mountain West - it leaves them as the only west coast league to partner with for bulk programming

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Good point. But we don’t see that happening.

[@jeppajeppson2900]

@@TheBigMountainPodcastthe big 12 is in the west

[@richardscott-n8u]

@@jeppajeppson2900 The B12 likes to think they are west, its not. Mountain time zone is not west

[@jeh58]

JY, you need to listen to Steve about adding team for value so you are not shrinking the pie slices too small for the existing schools. This should be done by working together with your media partners. The PAC12 is looking to get to 9-10 schools for now, for scheduling purposes. Eight teams would require each team to find five OOC games every year, a difficult task. Four games is much easier. If the media deal is high enough then Memphis/Tulane/USF could come into play. I thing a minimum of 15 million per team could possibly get those. However, I would prefer any two three of the following: Texas St, UTSA, N. Texas, or Rice.

[@billlong8385]

The MW, Pac2-9-11 or ?, WCC and all other western schools ALL need to sit at one table and figure out how to survive. Who wants to play which sports, etc. at a level that actually works. Forget what the SEC and Big10 and ESPN mega conference want.

[@joshcurran3756]

Boise is making 8 now though

[@richardscott-n8u]

No way MWC gets more money! They lost their top teams, no one joining matches departing schools. MWC gets less money per school $2-3M per school. Pac 12 gets $12-15M for football. ESPN and Fox in the mix for Pac 12 inventory plus top tier streaming deal. Plus Pac12 gets extra media deal for basketball package, total will be $18-20M range

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Who said the MWC gets more money? We didn’t.

[@jeh58]

IMHO, I see the PAC getting 10-15 mil per school, and the MWC getting 2-3.5 per school. That is basing the team values in each conference.

[@af6456]

😂😂😂😂. 10-15 million/year? They were only getting $25 million with USC and Washington in the conference?!.

[@jeh58]

@@af6456 Correct, and if Socal teams stayed they were rumored to be worth about 45-50 mil last year. They left, then the remaining ten were valued by ESPN to be at 30 mil per school. Eight left, so depending on the other additions it should be somewhere around low of 10 mil to high of 15 mil starting in 2026. Inflation my friend. MWC lost all schools of value except AF. UNLV has had just two good years, besides that not much else. Also the PAC12 Enterprises have been a success and made some pretty decent profits this past year to add to the pot.

[@jeh58]

@@af6456 That was a starting point with APPLE, ESPN offered 30 mil.

[@paulmezzetta6905]

I don’t believe that will be the case. Less than $10 million per school in Pac12, IMHO.

[@jeh58]

@@paulmezzetta6905 We will see. Remember, for both conferences there will be multiple partners, so the deals will most likely be additive.

[@perrystevenson6364]

The addition of NIU for football is a great step. But I don't think the MW is done yet. Adding Texas St. and/or Sam Houston St. should be their priority now to get more exposure in texas and the NIU time zone. Also adding St. Mary's for basketball would be another good add for the conf.

[@jeh58]

Texas St already said no to the MWC.

[@perrystevenson6364]

@@jeh58 yes they did....but these days....never say never...lol

[@jeh58]

@@perrystevenson6364 The only way they would look to the MWC is as if the PAC bypasses them.

[@htvlogs80]

@@perrystevenson6364 Texas St. is waiting on the Pac12 invite, but if they don't get the invite, then I believe they will go back to the MW. TX St. will follow where the money is at, they just waiting to see how much Pac12 will offer.

[@perrystevenson6364]

@@htvlogs80 see...there it is....money talks...bullshit walks. the pac doesn't have a tv deal yet and they're not gonna get $10 mil or more per school they unrealistically think they're worth....i'd say the $8-9 mill range and thats the high end. also the pac owes the MW $140 mil in fees and penalties...yea suits have been filed but the pac is hoping for a lower amount settlement....and the MW has no need to negotiate...they have the signed contracts....so the pac war chest is not what they think it is. how are they gonna pay those exit fees of Texas St. or any other university.

[@alienspace3960]

pac 12 should add st marys for basketball and another football school

[@milesbrooke7537]

MW can take Wednesday and Thursday. PAC will take Friday. Also better for the schools in the PAC to drop the underperforming and underfunded schools in the MW.

[@jasonkeuma1986]

Pac12 , now pac 8 will have the same problem. No one is watching the games on tv on the east coast.

[@johnhawkes4048]

I think that Northern Illinois made a mistake leaving the MAC, NIU is a regional school and all they did is increase there travel budget, I don't think they are going to receive any benefits from it.

[@andrewwhipple7162]

Ugly hoodie!

[@WestofEast]

The Mountain West is going to exhaust their funds pretty quickly with their UNLV and Air Force deal. No one is going to be excited that NIU is now in the MWC. Expect the MWC to lose their last few good programs after 2028

[@aBrewster29]

If UNLV has any staying power, I agree. If they’re middling they could get stuck. I think Air Force will end up wanting to be in a league with Army/Navy now that geography is largely out the window.

[@Daniel_Bradford]

@@aBrewster29Doesn’t make much sense honestly. They are going to play each other regardless of conference schedule. Might as well save on travel costs lol.

[@aBrewster29]

@ the cool thing about having the service academies in the same league is that it frees up OOC slots for them to get around the country more. Being truly national programs actually fits their mission and profile more than dinking around with Wyoming and New Mexico, no offense to those programs.

[@reverend_wintondupree]

​@@Daniel_BradfordExcept AFA, like the other service academies, value their exposure in their recruiting concentrations such as CA and TX. And just as Army and Navy, AFA could join the American as a football member only and place their Olympic sports in a more regionally based conference. The big downside is potentially losing a FCS or P4 OOC game if the Commander in Chief Trophy games are to continue being recognized as OOC.

[@varrick1226]

Just combine leagues already it helps everyone.

[@mathewblood5113]

No. It doesn’t. Once all is settled you’ll see why the PAC had to do it the way they did.

[@af6456]

The problem is, there are schools in the current/future PAC 12 that believe 2 things: 1. They are power 5 programs 2. They are better than what is left behind in the MW The MW schools know who they are and are leaning into it. The future PAC 12 as it will be constructed thinks they are held back by the MW. That's the vibe I get. The lack of self awareness is staggering.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Astute comment.

[@mathewblood5113]

@@af6456because the data shows they ARE bogged down by the lower half of the MWC. It’s just a fact. Have you seen the ratings of Hawaii, New Mexico and San Jose State? It’s downright sad. There’s a reason Boise State, Colorado State and Fresno wanted out and took the first offer.

[@htvlogs80]

The pac doesn't want Hawaii, New Mexico, Wyoming, & Nevada. The pac got all what they wanted except for UNLV for market share purposes.

[@kellygage1638]

Number one take off that penn state hoodie second you don't have the right to cover the pac 12 pay attention to your conference the mountain west

[@perrystevenson6364]

conference realignment concerns everyone. The pac needs an 8th football me,mber to be considered an FBS conf...so they're going to be in the news....add to that most of this new pac are former MW schools....they're gonna cover it.

[@willandizzle]

The pac-12 is the marginally better MWC now. Why not cover both?

[@robarguello6895]

​@@willandizzleIt's also 70% former MWC teams

[@jeh58]

Opinions are like a-holes, but some are larger than others.