Canzano: Waiting for smoke as Pac-12 and Mountain West hash it out
Mediation for the Pac-12 and Mountain West is ongoing.
There’s no chimney at the Pac-12 Conference headquarters in San Ramon, Calif. So there’s no sense in looking for smoke during this week’s ongoing mediation conclave.
The Pac-12 and Mountain West have been locked up in settlement talks since Monday. The sides agreed to confidentiality orders, and information has been sparse.
As one source told me on Thursday morning: “I’m not allowed to say anything — can’t tell you shit.”
The mediation is ongoing. I can confirm that. That is being viewed as an encouraging sign by both sides. Also, I’m told the mediator is either a retired or current federal judge. The process includes shuttle diplomacy, with the honorable mediator moving between breakout rooms.
The new-look Pac-12 still needs to add at least one “all-sports” member by July 1, 2026. The league currently has seven football-playing members plus Gonzaga. There’s an ongoing media rights negotiation for 2026-2031 in the background as well.
Will the new-look Pac-12 have eight football members?
Or nine?
One Pac-12 AD told me their school was “proactively planning for eight and will adjust accordingly, if necessary.”
What else I know: