Oregon State and Washington State, under the umbrella of the Pac-12, have won a preliminary injunction ruling that affirms their status as the sole governing members of the conference. With this victory in hand, the two schools are now looking to finalize their future scheduling arrangements, which could potentially be resolved within the next few days.
One possibility being discussed is for Oregon State and Washington State to form a football scheduling alliance with the Mountain West conference while remaining as members of the Pac-12. Under this scenario, the Beavers and Cougars would not be eligible for the Mountain West championship but would play the majority of their games against each other and various MWC schools for either one or two years. Additionally, this alliance could extend to the schools’ other sports teams, which would compete as “affiliate members” in the Mountain West and other Division I conferences.
While discussions are ongoing, an announcement regarding the final arrangements could come by the end of the week. However, it is also anticipated that it may take until after Thanksgiving to finalize all the details. Oregon State Athletic Director Scott Barnes told Portland-based sportswriter John Canzano that all the information will be provided to the players after the regular season.
In exploring their options, the two schools are also considering the possibility of creating their own football schedules for next year, while placing their other sports teams in various conferences. However, for this to happen, the schools would need other leagues to accept their non-football sports, which may require an NCAA waiver.
The negotiations also involve considerations from the Mountain West conference and other potential partners. The MWC and/or other conferences would need to receive some benefits from the partnership, and there is discussion about the financial implications of the potential alliance.
While the future remains uncertain, both Oregon State and Washington State are looking to preserve the Pac-12 as an entity to maintain its brand and assets. It is clear that there are many complex factors to consider in the decision-making process, and the schools are actively working to find a solution that best suits their needs.
As these unique circumstances continue to unfold, the schools are running out of time to determine their future path. While a victory in court has given them some leverage, there are still many uncertainties to navigate in their quest to solidify their place in the college sports landscape.