Oregon State Declares Loyalty to Pac-12 Conference
With the Big 12 Conference looking at an uneven number of teams heading into the 2024 season with the addition of the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024, multiple teams have seen their names pop up in expansion talks as possible candidates to join the Big 12.
One school that has heard its name mentioned as an expansion candidate happens to be Oregon State, and despite an uncertain future ahead, the Beavers have pledged their allegiance to the shaky Pac-12 Conference.
Oregon State University President, Jayathi Murthy released a statement on Friday declaring loyalty to the Pac-12, putting to bed any rumors about where the Beavers’ loyalty lies.
“Oregon State University joins with other Pac-12 members in reaffirming our commitment to the long-term strength and vitality of the conference. We are united by our shared values, our passion for the highest level of intercollegiate athletic competition, our leadership roles as Tier 1 research universities, and our support for student-athlete’s academic and athletic excellence.”
Athletic Director Scott Barnes followed up Murthy’s statement by saying that the school, “Trusts that the Pac-12 will secure a media rights deal that will strongly benefit the institutions that are remaining loyal to this conference. All of us at Oregon State will continue to work hard and diligently to continue the long-term membership and success of our athletic department at a national level.”
While the optimism for the Pac-12 to secure a media rights deal is dwindling, the loss of Colorado is a massive blow to the potential agreement. While Oregon State has elected to stay committed to the Pac-12, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is rumored to be in hot pursuit of Arizona, Washington, Oregon, UConn, and more.
