Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, UTSA commit to AAC after Pac-12 talks
- Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and UTSA have reaffirmed their commitment to the American Athletic Conference after evaluating an offer from the Pac-12.
- The AAC's existing ESPN deal and the high exit fees were significant factors in their decision to stay.
- This decision represents a setback for the Pac-12, which was hoping to create a competitive conference with its remaining members.
Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and UTSA have decided to remain in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) after considering an offer from the Pac-12. The schools were presented with the Pac-12's proposal but ultimately found the league's instability and travel concerns unappealing. The AAC is currently exploring new revenue opportunities and has high exit fees, which also influenced their decision to stay. This choice is a setback for the Pac-12, which aimed to form a competitive conference with its remaining schools. The AAC has been recognized as the leading football league among Group of 5 conferences since its inception, despite recent losses to Power 4 leagues. The AAC's existing television deal with ESPN, which extends into the early 2030s, was a significant factor in the schools' decision to remain. Additionally, the AAC is looking to expand by targeting schools like Texas State, Air Force, and UNLV, while the Pac-12 is considering Mountain West schools for potential expansion. The ongoing negotiations and shifting dynamics in college athletics could lead to further changes in conference alignments, impacting the future of both the AAC and the Pac-12.