September 15th 2024.
Bob Thompson had some sage advice for the Colorado State University (CSU) Rams as they prepared to join the Pac-12 conference. As a former president of Fox Sports Networks and co-founder of the Big Ten Network, Thompson knew a thing or two about navigating the world of college athletics.
In a phone conversation before the 93rd edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, Thompson emphasized the importance of having a strong conference office. He and I both laughed at the irony, considering the recent struggles of the Pac-12 under former commissioner Larry Scott.
The Pac-12, as we knew it, was on the brink of collapse due to a variety of factors. But as Thompson pointed out, Scott was at the center of it all. Promised television deals didn't pan out, and the Pac-12 Network failed to secure a major network partner like ESPN or Fox. It seemed that the conference had lost its identity and was struggling to keep up with the likes of the SEC and Big Ten.
But as CSU prepared to join the Pac-12, Thompson saw potential for the Rams to thrive in their new conference. He believed that the move was a positive one, as it would align CSU with other strong academic institutions and give them access to a larger market in Denver.
Former Big 12 and Big Eight commissioner Chuck Neinas agreed, pointing out that being left behind in the Mountain West conference would have been disastrous for the Rams. He also credited CSU's commitment to football, specifically through the construction of their new stadium, as a major factor in their invitation to the Pac-12.
However, Thompson and Neinas both acknowledged that the Pac-12 was not the top-tier conference that it once was. It was still a step up for CSU, but there were no guarantees for the future. TV payouts and the overall strength of the conference would depend on which other schools ultimately joined the Pac-12.
As we discussed the potential for CSU to receive similar TV payouts to the likes of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which reportedly pays out roughly $7 million per member, Thompson couldn't help but laugh. He believed that the Pac-12 would do better, but doubted they could reach the $10 million per school mark.
In the end, CSU's move to the Pac-12 was a victory with asterisks. While they were stepping up to a higher level of competition, there were still uncertainties about the future and the strength of the conference. But as Thompson pointed out, it was a step in the right direction for the Rams, and one that they should be happy about.
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