Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt doesn’t seem very impressed with the rebirth of the Pac-12.
The Pac-12 recently rose from the proverbial ashes by raiding the Mountain West Conference for four schools, a step toward replacing the 10 members the Pac-12 lost in conference realignments.
The conference is justifiably proud of its reboot, recently posting a message on X “Good morning! It’s a beautiful new day” to announce the news
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State are joining loyal Pac-12 holdovers Oregon State and Washington State. The conference is reportedly still shopping, too, as Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman reported last week that the Pac-12 is eyeing Memphis and Tulane.
But will all the shuffling be enough to move the needle? Will it at least be enough to entice a lucrative new TV deal?
Klatt does not sound enthused. The analyst commented on the situation during Saturday’s Ohio State-Marshall game. He mentioned former Pac-12 member Stanford, now in the ACC, beating Syracuse Friday night.
“The classic ACC battle of Stanford and Syracuse,” Klatt joked.
“Stanford, new member of the ACC, after the Pac-12 saw teams leave the conference,” play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson explained. “The Pac-12 still alive, getting ready to retool, with Oregon State and Washington State leading the way.”
“I almost said something I probably shouldn’t have,” Klatt said.
“What were you going to say?” Johnson prodded.
“Yeah, [the Pac-12] is expanding. It’s gonna be like generic. It’s like generic medication,” Klatt said.
“I almost said something I probably shouldn’t have… Yeah, [the Pac-12] is expanding. It’s gonna be like generic. It’s like generic medication.” – Joel Klatt on the Pac-12’s expansion plans. pic.twitter.com/CpDwAuFssJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 21, 2024
The Pac-12 has been the butt of many jokes and memes after the defection of 10 members essentially left it the Pac-2 until the recent Mountain West raid. So on the Pac-12 insult meter, calling it “generic” ranks fairly low. But it shows the conference still has work to do in terms of reclaiming the legitimacy it has lost.
[Fox Sports]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.