I don't think losing out on either the Big 12 or the ACC is a bad thing right now for Oregon. There are 2 years to go before the PAC dissolves, and I would argue there is another path if we don't get an invite right away to the B1G..add San Diego State and UNLV to the PAC. SDS gives us at least a Socal prescence, and Las Vegas is becoming a hotbed for talent, not to mention a growing TV market. The one thing the Ducks do not want to do right now is get locked into anything long term. 

I think there are 2 separate issues and I am not sure at this point they can go together.

1) Keeping the Pac-10 together can be done. Something can be worked out.

2) BUT at what cost? Does anyone really believe the Conference will have a legitimate chance at making the Playoffs? And adding UNLV(and even SDSU) makes the Pac-10 more Playoff viable?

Subtracting USC and UCLA but adding SDSU and UNLV makes the Pac-10 a more legitimate P5 Conference?

Which then begs the questions of recruiting and coaching? Will recruits stay if they have no chance at playing on the big stage? How long will Lanning stick around if a Pac-12 team  realistically is a long shot to make the Playoffs year after year?

The Pac-10 sticking together and possibly adding a Mountain West Conference team or two will, in a matter of 3-4 years "dummy down" the Conference to a variation of the Mountain West Conference...maybe those 2 Conferences will produce some great games and rivalries...but they won't be a factor in Playoff consideration.

Every Mountain West Conference team plays in a smaller stadium than Oregon and Autzen isn't in the Top 50 capacity-wise in the country. $$$?

Exception is UNLV who play in Allegiant but that stadium was built for the Raiders; not UNLV.

I think Oregon as a lone wolf or even with the uw have very limited powers / influence.

Their(Oregon) odds are better if the Pac-10 is sticking together to secure the only option left right now that I can see...merge with the ACC in some shape or form.

Last edited by DucksReign (7/20/2022 12:51 pm)

IF the Pac-10 WANTS to remain relevant, it NEEDS Oregon and uw.

I have not read anything which suggests the B10 either NEEDS or WANTS Oregon(or uw) because if that was the case it would have already happened.

Yes perhaps that dynamic will change at some point but for the moment I believe the B10 is happy with acquiring USC and UCLA.

Also IF Notre Dame were to join the B10 I believe Stanford would be the first choice of the B10 to join the Conference in a nano second.

Last edited by DucksReign (7/20/2022 7:32 pm)

Wilner interview sports360: 


A lot of good points made on this thread by everyone. 

While I get Wilner's idea that the late night games are something no one else can offer I doubt they're worth much to ESPN. Sure, they'll be glad to show a game instead of a show a replay, but it's in the AM hours out east with infocomercials on. Besides a few serious fans and insomiacs it's hard to see high ratings nationwide that would transalate to offering much money in exchange for the media rights. 

I agree that an ACC partnership might be the only hope to generate enough revenue to keep the conference somewhat viable on the big stage.

The only way the B10 might be interested is the Ducks taking a smaller cut for a while like Rutgers did. PK could payroll a stadium expansion. Like everyone said there doesn't appear to be any need or interest in adding the Ducks anyway so it probably doesn't matter what promises or concessions can be offered. 

I just watched a Wilner interview he did with an AZ show sports360. There's really not a lot of great intell on what's going on behind closed doors. He had some good info about how if a deal isn't negotiated in the 30 day window by Fox/ESPN it goes to the open market. ESPN could lowball the offer for now if it's not worried someone else will be interested like Apple or some streaming platform and whatnot. If nothing gets done in the next 2 weeks it could take a while.