Big 12 Presidents, Athletic Directors to Meet About Gonzaga: Report
Big 12 presidents and athletic directors are set to meet starting Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth and among the items on the agenda is the league’s interest in Gonzaga.
CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reported the primary agenda items for the meetings, which will take place and the DFW Airport Grand Hyatt.
His report indicates that the Gonzaga discussion is about potential membership.
Gonzaga athletic director John Standiford and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark are known to have met at least twice in the past four months about the Big 12 taking in the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, who are members of the West Coast Conference.
Gonzaga has been the subject of realignment rumors for a few years, with the school being connected to the Big 12, the Big East and the Pac-12, the last of which being the best geographical option.
Among the potential issues that Dodd highlights in the piece:
Gonzaga receives a weighted share of the WCC’s NCAA Tournament revenue, since the Bulldogs generate most of it (that revenue is based on how far the league’s teams go in the tournament). The Big 12 shares its NCAA Tournament revenue equally.
Gonzaga has its own TV deal with ESPN and CBS that runs through 2026-27. The Big 12 has negotiated a new deal with ESPN and FOX that starts in 2025.
Finding a home for Gonzaga’s Olympic sports may be a challenge if the WCC doesn’t want to continue to allow the Bulldogs to be a member in those sports.
Power 5 leagues tend to share revenue equally because all play football. Gonzaga’s lack of a football program will be a revenue hurdle.
And, Standiford may not be the final decision-maker at Gonzaga. Bulldogs basketball coach Mark Few may end up being the one who gives the thumbs up or thumbs down, per Dodd.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
