Official announcements from Gonzaga or the Pac-12 Conference

Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, UTSA Commit to AAC Amid Pac-12 Offers; Pac-12 Eyes UNLV, Utah State

Sep 23, 2024, 07:23 PM

Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and UTSA have announced their commitment to remain in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) after receiving offers from the Pac-12. This decision comes as a significant setback for the Pac-12, which is now turning its attention to potential new members from the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and other regions. The Pac-12 had initially hoped to expand by including these AAC schools, but the schools opted to stay with the AAC, where Commissioner Tim Pernetti is exploring new distribution models and expansion. The Mountain West is also working to retain its current membership, offering financial incentives to schools like Air Force, which has reaffirmed its commitment to the MWC. Meanwhile, Gonzaga is in discussions with the Pac-12, although no formal agreement has been reached. The Pac-12 is also considering UNLV and Utah State, with potential exit fees amounting to $115M for the first four MW schools and $30M for each additional school.