As usual, we are keeping readers up to date on conference realignment and how it might affect DU. The West Coast Conference, which we’ve long touted as a better fit for the Pioneers than the Dakota-centric Summit League, has announced the addition of Oregon State University and Washington State University as affiliate members across 12 sports for a two-year term, beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. OSU and Washington State are moving football to the Mountain West for the same two-year period and will pay the league $14 million as part of the scheduling agreement.
The move is seen as an interim step by the two former PAC 12 members as they wait for a new round of conference consolidation, especially if the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) gets swallowed up. Florida State has already seriously explored leaving the ACC. If not, the pair are expected to eventually transition to the Mountain West Conference permanently.
Outside of football, the WCC extended invitations to OSU and WSU in 12 sports, with both institutions set to compete as affiliate members in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s cross country, and women’s rowing. Oregon State will also participate in men’s soccer and softball, and Washington State will also compete in the WCC in women’s tennis and men’s cross country.
While it seems like an odd fit, there is likely a big chunk of cash coming from OSU and WSU from the PAC 12 settlement to the WCC. OSU and WSU received the blessing of the Washington state Supreme Court to take control of the Pac-12’s board for the time being. The two schools are blocking revenue payments totaling $61 million to the entire conference, as the 10 departing schools battle OSU and WSU in court. The WCC has media rights deals with ESPN and CBS Sports, although financial terms are unknown. OSU and WSU would be able to compete for regular-season and postseason titles in the WCC, unlike their football agreement with the MWC.
In an announcement from the West Coast Conference, “As we explore long-term solutions for the Pac-12 Conference and Washington State University, we appreciate Commissioner Stu Jackson and the West Coast Conference for their partnership in providing 10 of our programs affiliate membership,” said Washington State Director of Athletics Pat Chun. “The WCC allows an opportunity for our 10 teams to have access to championships as well as high-level competition. We are grateful to our student-athletes and coaches who have been patient and supportive as we work through the best path forward for WSU.”
Top photo courtesy of West Coast Conference
While I am happy that WSU and OSU have found temporary homes in the WCC, I am sad that these schools (and likely others who are better located – Seattle, GCU, Cal Baptist, etc. ) are future-blocking Denver’s admittedly-slim chances to land in the WCC. DU has been in the Summit for 10 years now, and there does not seem to be much more vision or financial appetite on DU’s part for getting DU into a different conference anymore. Until DU can put its men’s hoop team into the big dance (perhaps regularly), no one is likely calling DU AD Jeff Berlo with an invite out of the Summit…
Unfortunately, with a dearth of D-I programs within 750 miles of Denver, the Pios remain a victim of of both distance and dollars…