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Tracker of Pac-12, Big 12 and Big Ten realignment news (August 4)

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a seemingly for sure move to the Big 12 by Arizona last night, a whirlwind of Pac-12 and realignment news started early this morning.

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Here’s an updated tracker of everything that has been reported starting last night in terms of the Pac-12, Big 12 and Big Ten realignment news:

Last night (ABOR meeting started at 6:00 p.m. MST): ASU President Michael Crow plays big role in holding off on ASU’s move to the Big 12, despite approval by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). Meanwhile, Arizona is expected to jump to the Big 12 soon, as they have been approved by the conference and given the green light by the ABOR.

ASU and the remaining schools were scheduled to meet today in a last-ditch effort to save the conference with the notion that the Apple deal expires at the end of the week. (Multiple reports)

ASU reportedly delays decision to jump to Big 12, Arizona expected to make move

Late last night (WBOR started at 9:00 p.m. MST): Washington holds a Board of Regents meeting to seemingly discuss a preliminary jump to the Big 12. The Huskies and Oregon have already been  approved by the conference, it seems only a matter of time before the schools make the decisions themselves. However, it still seems a little contingent on if ASU and Utah decide to join Arizona in going to the Big 12.

6:20 a.m. MST: Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger says “the tides are turning” in terms of the Pac-12 meeting to sign a Grant of Rights. It remains on schedule and all presidents are expected to show.

6:28 a.m. MST: The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach reports that “Oregon and Washington’s exit from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten appears to have lost momentum overnight.”

6:39 a.m. MST: Dellenger adds to his previous tweet that the only way the Pac-12 plans to survive is to keep eight of its nine current members (meaning Arizona could still go). However, the biggest blow would be if two more schools leave (Oregon or Washington to the Big Ten, ASU joins Arizona in going to the Big 12 most likely).

6:45 a.m. MST: Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reports that Arizona has been seemingly putting on a show in terms of moving to the Big 12, as President Bobby Robbins has actually been committed to the Pac-12 this whole week. The conference has held multiple Zoom meetings after the TV rights deal presentation where Robbins seemed “fully committed” to the Pac-12.

Now, the Pac-12 “may stay together & sign Grant of Rights.”

6:47 a.m. MST: More from Dellenger, as he reports the reason for the sudden turnaround is not wanting “to kill” an 108-year-old conference. Another reason is because some of the Big Ten’s powerhouse programs have been pushing against expansion.

6:47 a.m. MST: 247 Sports’ Jason Scheer reports that it would be a “shocking turnaround” if Arizona backed out of going to the Big 12.

6:52 a.m. MST: ESPN’s Pete Thamel furthers that there’s optimism about the Pac-12’s Grant of Rights being signed at the 7:00 a.m. MST meeting. He reports Oregon is actually the biggest factor, as they are not headed to the Big Ten going into the meeting.

6:54 a.m. MST: Scheer reports there’s a very real chance Arizona makes the decision to go alone.

7:18 a.m. MST: 247 Sports’ Chris Karpman further reports on Crow and him wanting the Pac-12 to stay together, which is key in this meeting.

7:42 a.m. MST: Scheer reports a rumor that the way the Pac-12 might stay together is by Oregon State and Washington State taking cuts for Oregon and Washington. This makes sense because OSU’s and WSU’s most likely trajectory is the Mountain West (less money), while Oregon and Washington’s is the Big Ten (much more money).

7:45 a.m. MST: Another rumor this time from Auerbach that the Pac-12 and ACC could save each other with a merger. This has been previously discussed, but never materialized.

7:54 a.m. MST: Thamel reports the Pac-12 is unlikely to get its media rights deal signed today after all. A late Big Ten push for Oregon and Washington is a big factor.

Pac-12 fails to sign Grant of Rights at last-chance meeting

7:56 a.m. MST: AP writer Ralph D. Russo reports that a Big Ten call is scheduled this morning. Yet, Oregon and Washington have not yet received an invitation.

7:59 a.m. MST: Scheer reports Oregon and Washington will be discussed in the call.

8:01 a.m. MST: McMurphy reports that Oregon and Washington are “still expected to be Big Ten bound when finances are worked out.”

8:10 a.m. MST: Scheer reports that Washington is concerned with the Apple deal. He also says that Arizona and ASU “are still on track to join the Big 12,” despite Crow’s antics.

8:11 a.m. MST: Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel reports that the “fate of league likely rests on if Oregon can make a deal with the Big Ten.”

8:58 a.m. MST: Thamel reports that Washington and Oregon are “fully engaged” with the Big Ten.

9:40 a.m. MST: Oregon and Washington are headed to the Big Ten, as first reported by McMurphy.

As for the remaining schools (likely Washington State, Oregon State, Stanford and Cal when this is all over with), McMurphy writes: “With additional schools leaving the Pac-12, the Mountain West would “be open” to adding remaining Pac-12 schools to the league, sources told Action Network.”

BREAKING: Oregon and Washington put final nail in coffin for Pac-12 and join Big Ten

10:24 a.m. MST: How this happened. Oregon told the Pac-12 they were accepting an invite to the Big Ten unless the Apple numbers didn’t increase. That did not end up happening and Oregon left, according to Dellenger.

10:31 a.m. MST: McMurphy says that the Big 12 is now “exploring its options,’ as Arizona State and Utah are “showing interest in the conference.” Arizona has  already applied for membership.

10:39 a.m. MST: ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports that Oregon and Washington will be the only two teams the Big Ten will be adding in 2024.

12:16 p.m. MST: Washington State, which at this point seems a viable option to move to the Mountain West or stay with the Pac (which could either be destroyed completely or merge with another conference like the Mountain West or AAC), released a statement today co-signed by their University President Kirk Schultz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun:

“We are disappointed with the recent decisions by some of our Pac-12 peers. While we had hoped that our membership would remain together, this outcome was always a possibility, and we have been working diligently to determine what is next for Washington State Athletics. We’ve prepared for numerous scenarios, including our current situation. With exceptional student-athletes, a strong Cougar tradition and incredible support from our fans, donors and alumni, we will chart the best path forward together.”

12:49 p.m. MST: The plan is for Arizona to release an official announcement tomorrow, according to Scheer.

1:22 p.m. MST: Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reports that ASU going to the Big 12 is definitely a three-team deal (with Arizona and Utah). He said ASU has taken its time because they want to be certain of the move away from the 108-year-old conference, as people will lose jobs and be left behind.

1:26 p.m. MST: Gambadoro follows up on this tweet with news related to GCU. He says they could be a team to watch out for “if there is a Mountain West-Pac-4 merger.”

1:32 p.m. MST: ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura reports that is highly unlikely that the Pac-12 would be able to add any school from the Mountain West (MWC). Schools would have to pay $33-34 million to the leave the MWC after this year and the math would simply not work out for the Pac-12.

Other reports have said that the conferences could merge and rebrand under a new name, maybe the Pacific Coast Conference as Bonagura alludes to.

1:58 p.m. MST: Scheer reports that “Utah is expected to be accepted into the Big 12 as soon as tonight. Announcement could come within next 48 hours.”

This would eliminate all reports that the Big 12 is looking for another team outside of ASU, Arizona and Utah, as the three teams would give them an even, and their desired, 16 teams. This is the first report of Utah actually making steps to leave, not just talks.

2:24 p.m. MST: Thamel reports that ASU has finally joined Utah and Arizona and applied for formal membership to the Big 12. “There’s a call tonight with the Big 12’s presidents and chancellors to discuss their membership. Arizona applied and was approved yesterday.”

3:01 p.m. MST: It is fully expected that the three schools will be voted and accepted into the Big 12 after applying for membership. The official announcement will come within the next 24 hours after the Big 12 meets tonight, according to McMurphy.

3:06 p.m. MST: According to The Inside Zone’s Matt Fortuna, Oregon and Washington are expected to start making a minimum of $30 million annually in the Big 12 from the TV rights deal, and the number will increase by $1 million each year. Once the TV deal ends in 2030, they will get full shares in the next TV deal.

3:10 p.m. MST: Official press release sent out of Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten. It details that they will make the move on Aug. 2, 2024.

3:10 p.m. MST: Oregon and Washington want to preserve their rivalries, according to their press releases on the move.

3:30 p.m. MST: Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Director of Athletics Bernard Muir release a statement:

“We are aware of the University of Oregon and the University of Washington’s intended departure from the Pac-12 Conference. Our primary focus at this time is analyzing the available options and making the best decisions for Stanford and our student-athletes. We remain optimistic about Stanford’s athletics future and remain committed to pursuing excellence in college athletics.”

4:03 p.m. MST: Scheer reports that the goal is to officially announce that ASU, Arizona and Utah are moving together to the Big 12 at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

4:23 p.m. MST: Cal releases a statement with University Chancellor Carol Christ and Director of Athletics Jim Kowlton’s name attached to it:

“We are aware that two more of our Pac-12 peer institutions have decided to leave the conference one year from now, and there are reports that additional universities may be considering similar steps. We are not watching and waiting from the sidelines. Together, the Chancellor and Athletic Director are evaluating a variety of options that will ensure our student-athletes can continue to thrive, and that our intercollegiate athletics program can continue to excel in a manner consistent with our institutional values. We are grateful for the continued support of the campus community and the extended Cal Family, and will remain committed to sharing as much information as we can in the days ahead.”

5:25 p.m. MST: According to Thamel, the Big 12 voted unanimously tonight to admit Arizona State and Utah into the conference beginning in 2024. Utah still needs its Board of Trustees to approve the move.

BREAKING: Big 12 votes ASU, Utah unanimously into conference

5:55 p.m. MST: Scheer now reports that an official statement could be coming any minute.

6:07 p.m. MST: Scheer reports there’s “a very real chance” the Big 12 could vote to expand to 18 teams. The process could be slow and teams are unknown, but he will have the green light.

6:24 p.m. MST: Arizona, Arizona State and Utah are officially heading to the Big 12 after a statement from the conference’s commissioner Brett Yormark.

The statement reads: The Big 12 Board of Directors has voted unanimously to admit Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and University of Utah to the Big 12 Conference.

“We are thrilled to welcome Arizona, Arizona State and Utah to the Big 12, said Commissioner Brett Yormark. “The Conference is gaining three premier institutions both academically and athletically, and the entire Big 12 looks forward to working alongside their presidents, athletic directors, student-athletes and administrators.”

BREAKING: ASU, Arizona officially join the Big 12

6:25 p.m. MST: Arizona State makes the Big 12 move official with a press release.

Quotes from press release on ASU’s move to the Big 12

6:30 p.m. MST: Utah gives its press release of leaving for the Big 12.

6:35 p.m. MST: The Pac-12 releases a statement regarding the four remaining schools.

“Today’s news is incredibly disappointing for student-athletes, fans, alumni and staff of the Pac-12 who cherish the over 100-year history, tradition and rivalries of the Conference of Champions. We remain focused on securing the best possible future for each of our member universities.”

6:37 p.m. MST: Arizona announces that it’s officially Big 12 bound with a press release.

6:39 p.m. MST: Dellenger details how the College Football Playoff format could change.

6:43 p.m. MST: Dellenger explains that a merger with the Mountain West is most likely for the remaining four Pac-12 schools.

(Stay tuned for more to come)

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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau

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