In a significant move aimed at securing its future amidst a landscape defined by conference realignment, the Pac-12 conference has announced a five-year media rights extension with CBS Sports.
The agreement, set to take effect when the conference undergoes a substantial expansion in 2026, will run through the 2030-31 academic year. It represents a critical step for the Pac-12 as it rebuilds its membership and seeks stability in the competitive college sports media market.
Details of the Five-Year Agreement
The newly announced partnership extends an existing agreement between the entities, originally signed in late April. Under the terms of the expanded deal, which commences with the 2026-27 academic year, selected football and men’s basketball games involving the future, expanded Pac-12 membership will be broadcast across various CBS platforms.
These platforms include the flagship CBS television network, the Paramount+ streaming service, and the CBS Sports Network. The multi-platform distribution strategy underscores the evolving ways in which college sports content is consumed by audiences.
While specific financial terms of the five-year extension were not publicly disclosed, the agreement guarantees a minimum level of exposure for the conference’s marquee sports. It includes a minimum of three regular-season football games and at least three men’s basketball games slated for broadcast on CBS and simultaneous streaming on Paramount+ each season. The remaining inventory of games covered by the deal will air on the CBS Sports Network.
Crucially for the conference, the agreement also stipulates that the conference championship games for both football and men’s basketball will receive prominent placement, airing on the CBS television network and streaming on Paramount+. This ensures maximum reach for the league’s culminating events.
Negotiations for this five-year extension, as well as the conference’s separate media arrangements for the interim 2025 season, were handled by Octagon, a global sports and entertainment agency.
The Shifting Landscape of the Pac-12
The context of this media rights deal is the dramatic transformation the Pac-12 conference is currently undergoing. Following the departure of the majority of its long-standing members to other Power Five conferences, the Pac-12 is presently composed of only two schools: Oregon State University and Washington State University.
These two institutions have already secured media coverage for the immediate future, having previously re-signed with The CW network and adding ESPN for coverage during the 2025 college sports season. The agreement with CBS Sports pertains specifically to the period beginning in 2026, coinciding with the influx of new member institutions.
Starting in July 2026, the Pac-12 is set to welcome seven new member schools, dramatically reshaping its geographic footprint and competitive profile. These seven institutions are Boise State University, Colorado State University, San Diego State University, Fresno State University, and Utah State University, all joining from the Mountain West Conference, alongside Gonzaga University, which will transition from the West Coast Conference.
This infusion of new members aims to restore the conference’s roster and provide a foundation for future growth and stability after the significant membership losses experienced in prior realignment cycles.
Path to FBS Status and Remaining Challenges
Despite the positive news of the CBS media deal and the addition of seven new members, the expanded Pac-12 still faces significant hurdles, particularly regarding its status within the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
According to NCAA regulations, a conference requires a minimum of eight full-time members that sponsor football to qualify as an FBS conference. With the announced seven incoming members (six of which field FBS football teams, as Gonzaga does not sponsor football), the conference currently needs at least one more full-time member that sponsors football to meet this critical requirement for FBS recognition.
Adding to the complexity, the Pac-12 is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the Mountain West Conference. The dispute centers on exit and penalty fees associated with the departure of the five Mountain West schools slated to join the Pac-12 in 2026. Estimates place the potential amount involved in this dispute at over $150 million. Negotiations between the two conferences are reportedly continuing, following attempts at mediation.
Ripple Effects: Mountain West’s Response
The realignment moves affecting the Pac-12 have, in turn, triggered further changes within the Mountain West Conference. To address the impending departure of five of its members, the Mountain West has also engaged in expansion efforts.
The Mountain West has added several institutions to its ranks, particularly focusing on replacing its departing football programs. These additions include the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Grand Canyon University, and Northern Illinois University, all joining for football competition. Additionally, the University of California, Davis, has been added as a member for all sports except football.
These reciprocal moves highlight the interconnected nature of conference realignment, where a change in one league can necessitate strategic adjustments in others.
Broader Implications and Conclusion
The five-year media rights deal with CBS Sports represents a vital piece of the puzzle for the future of the Pac-12 conference. Securing a broadcast partner for the crucial period beginning in 2026 provides a degree of certainty and a platform for the expanded conference to showcase its new membership.
The agreement, coming amidst widespread shifts in college athletic affiliations and media valuations, underscores the continued demand for live sports content from major collegiate conferences, even those undergoing significant transitions.
However, the path ahead is not without its challenges. The need to secure an eighth FBS football-playing member and the ongoing legal entanglement with the Mountain West Conference present significant issues that the Pac-12 leadership must navigate in the coming months and years. The outcome of the fee dispute could have substantial financial implications for the conference and its members.
In forging this alliance with CBS Sports, the Pac-12 is taking a definitive step towards building a sustainable model for its next era, leveraging broadcast and streaming platforms to reconnect with fans and establish a new competitive identity in the evolving landscape of college sports.
