Tag: Pac-12

Sep 16, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (25) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Sacramento State to build new stadium, eyes Pac-12 bid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

FCS program Sacramento State announced plans Thursday to build a new stadium with the hope of landing an invitation from the rebuilding Pac-12.

The announcement comes while the Pac-12 and Mountain West are engaged in a massive fight for schools at a time in which there is a shortage of available Western programs.

Sacramento State, located in the capital city of California, is preparing for its bid to join the league by building the new facility that would have at least 25,000 seats.

Sac State president Luke Wood said during a press conference that the stadium would also be used for soccer and rugby and would host commencements.

“This will be a place where the community can come together and celebrate together,” Wood said. “This will be a stadium where teams can compete on a national stage and show the country the best of Sacramento State and the best of our city and our region.”

Wood said the stadium would be built at the site of the current Hornet Field, which seats 21,195. There was no immediate word on how it would be funded.

Area leaders are rallying around the project.

“Sacramento State is ready to take the national stage with the elevation of our university to the Pac-12,” California State Sen. Angelique Ashby said in a news release. “Today’s stadium announcement is a giant leap for the Hornet Nation, our region and the State of California. We have the media market, the talent, and a strong Alumni community to not only support this move but to help the Hornets continue to be a powerhouse across multiple sports.”

Sacramento is home to the Sacramento Kings, an NBA team that receives strong local support. The city also will host the Oakland Athletics for the next three seasons until their new ballpark in Las Vegas is ready.

Sacramento State has been in the Big Sky since 1996 but only recently raised the level of its football program.

The Hornets have made the FCS playoffs four times since 2019, including winning first-round games the past two seasons. They never previously qualified for the FCS playoffs.

Sacramento State made the Division II playoffs in 1988, winning two games to reach the semifinals before losing to North Dakota State.

The Hornets defeated Stanford 30-23 last season for their third win against a then-Pac-12 program. Sacramento State also defeated Oregon State in 2011 and Colorado in 2012. Oregon State is still a member of the Pac-12.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; UNLV Rebels defensive back Kris Williams (17) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Reports: Air Force, UNLV staying in Mountain West

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UNLV and Air Force have opted to remain in the Mountain West Conference, according to multiple reports late Wednesday.

UNLV rejected overtures from the rebuilding Pac-12 Conference. Air Force turned down heavy interest from the American Athletic Conference.

The decisions by the Runnin’ Rebels and the Falcons to stay put follows the previously announced departures of five Mountain West members to the Pac-12: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.

Air Force and UNLV made the choice to stay put after receiving “significant financial incentives,” Yahoo Sports reported. A specific dollar figure was not provided.

The Mountain West has six full members and seven football-playing schools, including Hawaii. It still must meet the minimum requirement of eight member schools set by the NCAA and College Football Playoff.

All of the remaining Mountain West schools — including New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming — are expected to sign a binding agreement with the league on Thursday, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

With seven members, the Pac-12 is still one short of the minimum requirements. On Monday, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA all passed on Pac-12 offers to remain in the AAC.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Logan, Utah, USA; Utah State Aggies running back Rahsul Faison (3) is brought down by Utah Utes linebacker Levani Damuni (3) after a short gain in the second half at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Reports: Utah State to Pac-12, UNLV considering options

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The Utah State has agreed to join the Pac-12 Conference, multiple reports said Monday night, nearly completing the league’s rebuild to become a recognized FBS football conference.

The Pac-12 was left with only Oregon State and Washington State after last year’s round of conference realignment. Two weeks ago, the conference announced it was adding Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State from the Mountain West, beginning in 2026.

Utah State would bring conference membership to seven, with the Pac-12 needing a minimum of eight institutions to be considered an FBS conference whose champion could qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

UNLV originally committed to stay with the Mountain West, ESPN reported Monday, but following the Utah State news, multiple reports indicated UNLV was still exploring its options, as the Mountain West may now be in danger of dipping beneath the eight-team threshold.

The Mountain West is also home to Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State and Wyoming. Hawaii is a football-only member. It is unclear which other schools the Pac-12 was prioritizing.

Earlier Monday, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA pledged their commitment to the American Athletic Conference not long after it was reported that the Pac-12 approached those schools about joining them.

–Field Level Media

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans former running back Reggie Bush attends the game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reggie Bush sues USC, Pac-12, NCAA over use of NIL

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Reggie Bush is suing the University of Southern California, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA for compensation for the use of his name, image and likeness while he was a college athlete.

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said in a statement Monday. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”

The filing claims that USC, the conference and the NCAA financially benefited from Bush’s “significant popularity” and “prominence” during and after his time with the Trojans’ football program, with whom he won the 2004 BCS national championship and the 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Bush notably forfeited his Heisman in 2010 amid reports that the Heisman Trust would revoke it after USC was hit with major NCAA sanctions because Bush and his family received improper financial benefits during his time there.

With athletes now allowed to capitalize on their NIL rights, Bush asked for the award to be reinstated. The Heisman Trust obliged this past April, acknowledging the “enormous changes” to the world of college football.

Bush has not been associated with USC for most of the time between the sanctions and the present day. He was on the sideline for the Trojans’ season-opening win over LSU in Las Vegas.

“We appreciate that the new administration at USC is trying to pick up the pieces of the former administrations’ unjust and improper handling of Reggie Bush,” said Levi G. McCathern II, another one of Bush’s attorneys. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A detailed view of the Pac-12 Conference logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium before the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Boise State, three others joining Pac-12 for 2026-27

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Mountain West representatives Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 in the 2026-27 academic year, the latter conference announced Thursday morning.

The Pac-12 board of directors unanimously approved the additions of the four schools to join Oregon State and Washington State, the last two remaining schools after an offseason that saw 10 members jump to other power conferences. Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Southern California moved to the Big Ten; Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State shifted to the Big 12; and Cal and Stanford joined the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State officially will join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026.

“For over a century, the Pac-12 Conference has been recognized as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement. “We will continue to pursue bold cutting-edge opportunities for growth and progress, to best serve our member institutions and student-athletes. I am thankful to our board for their efforts to welcome Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to the conference. An exciting new era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today.”

The NCAA gave the Pac-12 until July 2026 to have a minimum of eight universities if the league is to remain part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Mountain West additions still leave the league two short, although officials are pursuing additional options.

The four schools joining the Pac-12 would have to pay an exit fee of $18 million. The Pac-12 also would owe the Mountain West $43 million for taking schools away, part of the deal it reached to arrange scheduling of football matchups for Oregon State and Washington State this year.

MWC commissioner Gloria Nevarez released a statement late Wednesday to address reports that the four schools were exiting the conference.

“The Mountain West Conference is aware of media reports regarding the potential departure of several of our members, and we will have more to say in the days ahead,” Nevarez said. “All members will be held to the Conference bylaws and policies should they elect to depart. The requirements of the scheduling agreement will apply to the Pac-12 should they admit Mountain West members. Our Board of Directors is meeting to determine our next steps. The Mountain West has a proud 25-year history and will continue to thrive in the years ahead.”

Colorado State and San Diego State have been in the Mountain West since the league’s founding in 1999. Boise State joined the conference in 2011, and Fresno State followed in 2012. One of those four schools won or shared the league’s football championship in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

“We are ecstatic to be joining the Pac-12 Conference,” San Diego State athletic director John David Wicker said. “While we are grateful to be a founding member of the Mountain West with 26 years of success in the conference, we are excited at what lies ahead with these new opportunities. We will continue to compete for conference championships on the field and to graduate leaders in the community.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Mountain West conference logo on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Four Mountain West schools set to join Pac-12

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pac-12 might be ready to rise again.

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State are set to exit the Mountain West to join the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 school year, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night.

The moves reportedly could be announced as soon as Thursday.

Just two schools remain in the Pac-12 — Oregon State and Washington State — after an offseason that saw 10 schools join other power conferences. Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Southern California moved to the Big Ten; Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State shifted to the Big 12; and Cal and Stanford joined the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The NCAA is giving the Pac-12 until July 2026 to have a minimum of eight universities if the league is to remain part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The reported Mountain West addition would still leave the league two short, though officials are pursuing additional options.

The four schools looking to join the Pac-12 reportedly would have to pay an exit fee of at least $17 million. The Pac-12 also would owe the Mountain West $43 million for taking schools away, part of the deal it reached to arrange scheduling of football matchups for Oregon State and Washington State this year.

Colorado State and San Diego State have been in the Mountain West since the league’s founding in 1999. Boise State joined the conference in 2011, and Fresno State followed in 2012. One of those four schools won or shared the league’s football championship in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

–Field Level Media

The SEC logo in the hallway at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Fla. on Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the annual SEC spring meetings.

Report: Power 5, NCAA reach historic agreement to pay players

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The SEC and Pac-12 joined the three other power conferences – the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 – and the NCAA in agreeing on a multi-billion-dollar settlement that would allow schools to directly pay student-athletes for the first time in NCAA history, ESPN reported on Thursday.

“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come,” NCAA president Charlie Baker and the five power conference commissioners said in a joint statement Thursday evening.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement — which would also resolve three federal antitrust cases — former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes also would benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 accepted the terms of the settlement on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday.

Per the terms of the agreement, athletes won’t be able to sue the NCAA in future antitrust lawsuits and must drop their complaints in three current lawsuits: Carter v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and House v. NCAA.

Former Colorado football player Alex Fontenot’s lawsuit against the NCAA is not included in this pending settlement. Fontenot’s suit is regarding how the NCAA shares TV revenues with players.

The settlement is not yet official as it requires the approval of U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who is presiding over the three antitrust cases. Also, if players choose to join Fontenot’s lawsuit, the settlement agreed on by the NCAA and Power 5 could be rendered null and void.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of the SEC logo on a chain marker during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA agrees to settlement in House v. NCAA

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Former college athletes are due for a payday after the NCAA Board of Governors voted to agree to settle House v. NCAA and other antitrust cases related to it, ESPN reported Wednesday.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement, former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes would also benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 had already accepted the terms of the settlement, doing so on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday, and now the Southeastern Conference and Pac-12 just need to submit their approval.

Both the SEC and Pac-12 are expected to approve the terms later this week, per ESPN’s report.

It is expected that a settlement will officially be reached, and if that were the case, the schools and the NCAA would avoid going to court, where they could have had to pay over $4 billion in damages if they lost.

Per ESPN’s report, the plaintiffs in the case could also dismiss two other antitrust cases against the NCAA that are currently pending and could possibly add billions of dollars in damages to the association’s plate.

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A detailed view of UCLA Bruins helmet during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA to pay Cal $10M per year for Big Ten departure

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UCLA’s windfall for moving to the Big Ten Conference during the next academic year just got a little bit smaller, as a University of California board of regents panel approved a plan where Cal will be paid $10 million a year from its athletic rival for at least the next three years.

Both schools are members of California’s ten-school UC system, with Cal objecting to UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, saying it would be hurt financially through the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference.

The $10 million payments, which will run through at least the 2026-27 school year, will help Cal offset losses from media rights. The board is expected to review the payment plan after three years.

According to reports, UCLA will be paid $60 million per year in the Big Ten. Cal reportedly will be paid $11 million per year over its first seven years in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Not long after UCLA and Southern California elected to move out of the Pac-12, Colorado departed for the Big 12, followed by Arizona, Arizona State and Utah, who also went to the Big 12. Cal and Stanford ultimately left for the ACC.

In a separate move, Oregon and Washington also agreed to join the Big Ten.

Only two schools remained in the Pac-12 — Oregon State and Washington State — when the exodus was complete. The Pac-12 will not be in operation for the foreseeable future, with Oregon State and Washington State to be paid a combined $65 million from the 10 departing schools.

–Field Level Media

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to pass the ball in the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Monday, January 8, 2024.

CFP revamps new 12-team playoff structure, adds at-large bid

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The College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams for the upcoming season includes an altered format featuring the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

The CFP Board of Managers voted Tuesday to modify the original plan, which called for the six highest-ranked champions to earn an automatic entry into the field, plus six at-large berths. The switch was necessary with the Pac-12 down to just two teams in 2024 following the defection of 10 programs to other conferences.

“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” said Dr. Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State University and CFP board chair. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”

There is no limit on the number of teams that can qualify in each conference.

The shift was made with no objection from Washington State president Kirk Schulz, who represents the Pac-12 on the board. Oregon State will be the only other remaining Pac-12 team next season.

“For our two schools in the Pac-12 as it’s currently configured, there is no question that five-seven, with seven at-larges, is better than six at-larges,” Schulz told ESPN. “… There’s no question our football coaches are going to want to compete for one of those seven slots, and seven is going to be better than six.”

Under the 12-team playoff format that begins in the fall, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four for the CFP tournament and will receive a first-round bye. Teams seeded five through 12 will play each other in the first round at the home of the higher ranked team.

Michigan is the defending CFP champion, defeating Washington in the title game on Jan. 8. Both schools will be members of the Big Ten next season as Washington departs the Pac-12.

–Field Level Media