Pac-12 expansion reportedly expected to include both San Diego State and SMU

Despite the radio silence coming out of the SMU corner they are still viewed as a likely candidate

There have been many talks about Pac-12 expansion as of late, and one of the main discussions in regards to the subject matter is whether or not the Pac-12 will add one or two teams.

With hypothetical odds of who has the best chance being released recently, it has come some to wonder who truly is a contender and who isn't. San Diego State has long been viewed as a lock, and may as well start stitching the Pac-12 logo onto their patches but SMU on the other hand hasn't had nearly as much chatter. In a recent report by Pac-12 insider John Canzano, he revealed that there may have been some frustration towards the Dallas based program when news about Pac-12 president George Kliavkoff being on campus broke but the conference can't be that mad.

It sure has been quiet at SMU, hasn’t it? The Mustangs got a visit from Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff during basketball season. The visit went public. I’ve written a lot about this, but the conference was annoyed and blamed SMU’s side for the leak. Ultimately, I don’t think the Pac-12 seriously holds that against the Mustangs. I mean, the school brings nearly 3 million television homes to the table. That is a solid peace offering.

Canzano also explained that the Pac-12 has in fact planned for every possible alternative when it comes to their media rights deal negotiations, which means they have thought of scenarios that include both San Diego State and SMU, and even future former Pac-12 member, UCLA. 

 I am told by sources that the Pac-12 had the potential media-rights partners model deals that included both San Diego State and SMU. No surprise there. I am told the conference “looked at every scenario” by a source in the room. The Pac-12 even asked potential partners for media models that involved UCLA.

When Canzano joined me on Locked on Buffs this past week he was extremely confident that the Pac-12 would get a deal that surpasses the Big 12's deal. In his Friday report, Canzano revealed that there is a belief that the only way the Pac-12 can surpass the Big 12's number, they'll have to add San Diego State and SMU. There have also been recent rumors and beliefs that the conference could add San Diego State only and not include the SMU in this expansion round, something Canzano expressed he doesn't foresee happening. 

Would the Pac-12 add San Diego State via expansion but not SMU? Maybe, but I find it increasingly unlikely. A source on campus at the Dallas-based institution told me the Pac-12 continued to engage with SMU after the Kliavkoff visit.

Canzano even spoke with someone with SMU affiliation who is certain that the Mustangs will be a part of the Pac-12 if they do expand.

"My sense continues to be that we will be included if they expand.”

One of the major concerns that appears to not be as big of a concern as we have been led to believe it is, San Diego State's deadline. The census around the Pac-12 is that they aren't nearly as worried as those of us who thought the exit fee doubling could be a problem. While the next couple of weeks of June were given as a deadline, which again not sure why that was necessary, the Pac-12 is still doing their due diligence. Canzano explained a slight loophole as San Diego State can submit to the Mountain West that they are leaving on June 30, but they could end up doing so without a formal offer from the Pac-12. Something they did in 2012 when "joining" the Big East, which they obviously ended up not doing and ultimately had to apply to join their conference again.

While the media rights still feels like a mystery, this feels like the most concrete answer we have gotten about Pac-12 expansion. The end of June will truly be an action packed week or so.

Update: SDSU officially notified the Mountain West of their plan to depart.

San Diego State just announced their notice. They are now able to leave the Mountain West https://t.co/4hrNAHyemT

— Inside The Stanford Cardinal (@InsideStanford) June 16, 2023