Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff believes realignment coming to an end

The clock is ticking on a new media deal

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

George Kliavkoff seems to have broken away from the reality of collegiate sports.

The Pac-12 commissioner addressed the media on Friday morning and commented on an array of topics. One of the most pressing was his thoughts on conference realignment after losing USC and UCLA to the Big Ten.

"I think the realignment in college athletics will come to an end this cycle," Kliavkoff said.

A bold prediction from a guy leading a conference without any clear plans for the future. Not to mention, a few Pac-12 schools have been rumored to be planning an exit from the conference over a lack of movement towards a media rights deal. The Pac-12 has no scenario for expansion until a deal is cut, and that's something that has been in works for month. Not many details have been leaked, but it seems schools will receive around $25 million per year.

Pac-12’s George Kliavkoff: “The longer we wait for our media deal the better our options are”

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 21, 2023

The fear is that Oregon and Washington will be targets in the future. If they leave the Pac-12, there's no conceivable way the conference exists as a power. Also, given the "Prime effect" with Deion Sanders, if Colorado leaves for the Big 12, it could be the first domino to fall.

Kliavkoff can stop the chaos by announcing a new deal. The Pac-12 has fallen behind and needs to catch up quickly. Otherwise, the summer of 2024 can be considered the beginning of the end for the West Coast conference.