Canzano: Plotting Pac-12 rebuild for Oregon State and Washington State
Rebuild plan? Merger? Something else?
When I think about the Pac-12 Conference, I don’t see a fork in the road. It’s more of a busy intersection or roundabout, with multiple exits and options.
Rebuild the conference?
A reverse merger with the Mountain West Conference?
Something else?
The Beavers and Cougars have until the summer of 2026 to reach a minimum of eight teams and meet the NCAA’s requirement. By the summer of 2025, OSU and WSU will need clarity and execute the plan. I spoke with multiple conference commissioners, athletic directors, and a trio of university presidents in the last few weeks and asked how they’d approach the circular junction in the road ahead.
My takeaways: