ESPN, Fox, CBS reportedly in ‘exploratory phase’ for Pac-12 rights

The new-look Pac-12 is searching for media partners; three of the most prominent are reportedly interested.

According to a report by Amanda Christovich in Front Office Sports, ESPN, Fox, and CBS are “open to participating in a media rights package with the expanded Pac-12.”

The conference has recently struck deals to add Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Gonzaga in 2026. The six schools will join the two remaining schools from the old Pac-12 — Oregon State and Washington State. However, the conference still needs to add one more FBS football school by 2026 before reaching compliance to stay in the upper echelon of college football.

Per Christovich, discussions about a potential media rights package are currently in an “exploratory phase,” according to one source. The networks’ varying interest levels are still unclear, though another source told FOS that conversations were “productive.”

It’s presumed that the Pac-12 will sign its media rights agreements before adding its final FBS school.

Last season, the so-called “Pac-2” of Oregon State and Washington State signed a small, one-year media rights agreement with Fox and The CW to air home games for each school. After the two sides reached a scheduling pact prior to the season, the schools’ schedules were filled with games against Mountain West teams.

Now, that pact has the four Mountain West schools that have agreed to defect to the Pac-12 embroiled in litigation over “poaching fees” that were written into the partnership.

However that may end, it’s encouraging for the Pac-12 that their games will have suitors. What that eventual deal looks like — such as if rights are split between multiple networks, what time slots the conference may get, etc. — is still unknown. But given the three networks involved, it doesn’t seem like the conference is doomed for obscurity.

That is, assuming the conference can close a deal.