Story perspectives

Pac-12 Relaunches with Nine Teams, CBS Secures TV Rights

7/2/2026

Summary

Pac-12 Relaunches

The Pac-12 relaunched with nine members—Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas State and non-football Gonzaga—on July 1, 2026.
CBS Sports, USA Network and The CW secured rights to Pac-12 football and men’s basketball, with the conference championship slated for CBS on Dec. 4, 2026.
San Diego State’s first home conference games are Oct. 1, 2026 (women’s soccer vs Boise State) and Oct. 3, 2026 (football vs Texas State).

Summary

Boise State Recruiting

Boise State’s 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 51 nationally, the program’s highest ever.
Six starters return, led by senior QB Maddux Madsen (6,586 yards, 50 passing TDs, 11 rushing TDs), while edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan joins defensive returnees.
Bookmakers list Boise State as a +154 favorite and San Diego State as +360.
The launch party opened the End Zone concourse and will install an 11-foot Kellen Moore statue at Bleymaier Football Center.

Summary

Pac-12 Secures

Gonzaga's rights deal could bring at least $8 million a year, far above its conference earnings.
Washington State athletic director Jon Haarlow says revenue sharing drives recruiting.
Colorado State athletic director John Weber says linear-TV football broadcasts will market the university.
Utah State president Brad L. Mortensen says the conference’s evening TV window gives a viewership edge.
Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould received a contract extension through the 2030-31 season, ensuring continuity.

Summary

Colorado State Breaks Records

Colorado State's Day of Giving generated $1.6 million, the athletics department's highest single-day total.
Football set a home single-game attendance record during Homecoming versus Hawaii.
Volleyball ranked eighth nationally for attendance in 2025.
Athletics director John Weber said enrollment, academic and research momentum will complement the Pac-12 boost.
The McGraw Society now has over 150 members, influencing Colorado State athletics.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 the Pacific-8 added Arizona and Arizona State, becoming the Pac-10 and ending the era that began with the 1915 Pacific Coast Conference. The league’s first TV deal with ABC in 1979 paid $2.5 million annually, a 40 % increase. Today the Pac-12 relaunch with CBS, USA Network and The CW echoes that expansion and could boost revenues for Gonzaga and Boise State.

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Pac-12 Relaunches

The Pac-12 relaunched with nine members—Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas State and non-football Gonzaga—on July 1, 2026.
CBS Sports, USA Network and The CW secured rights to Pac-12 football and men’s basketball, with the conference championship slated for CBS on Dec. 4, 2026.
San Diego State’s first home conference games are Oct. 1, 2026 (women’s soccer vs Boise State) and Oct. 3, 2026 (football vs Texas State).

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