The PAC-12 had admitted that it needs games in the central time zone to maximize value. They stated last year that based on their internal valuations, strategically scheduling games within alliance would give them same value as expanding. therefore, they chose not to expand at the time.
That strategy has clearly not panned out primarily due to BIG retaining 9 its conference games.
The conference is heading into media negotiations without a solid strategy for games in the central time zone. They can choose stay at 12, limit themselves to the west coast, leave money on the table.
Alternatively, they can strategically expand eastward, selecting few pieces that gives them new markets in the central time zone. It isn’t that new. The pac12 began a slow but methodical creep eastward with Arizona, and Arizona State. Moved on to Utah, Colorado. They can choose bring in UH, OSU, Kansas and TCU/ Tech in this iteration.
It’s their choice, expansion is remote but will not completely rule it out until pac-12 new valuations are in.