Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA have reaffirmed their commitment to the American Athletic Conference, the universities and conference announced Monday, spurning interest from the Pac-12 to join that rebuilding conference.
The schools had seen presentations from the Pac-12 but ultimately felt the league’s uncertainty and travel weren’t enough to leave an AAC that is exploring new revenues and models. The AAC’s large exit fees were also a major hurdle.
We are the American Athletic Conference. pic.twitter.com/nuwCtF0dQz
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It’s a blow to the Pac-12’s six schools, which were hoping to create a “Best of the Rest” conference that would’ve been the top non-Power 4 league, with a good shot at its champion getting a College Football Playoff spot. The schools are Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, with the latter four set to join in 2026.
The league and its consultants had pitched potential TV revenue of up to $10 to $15 million to AAC members. But the numbers and networks are theoretical, as the Pac-12 wouldn’t be expanding on a previous TV deal. That made the AAC schools cautious.
The AAC, meanwhile, pitched itself on having exposure through an ESPN…
