Former Pac-12 Athletic Director Bill Moos expressed his sadness and concern over the decline of the Pac-12 conference, stating that nothing surprises me anymore. Moos, who is now retired and living on his ranch south of Spokane, said that he no longer feels the impact of the conference’s struggles on a day-to-day basis but is still disappointed by its current state.
As of now, only four schools remain committed to the Pac-12 for the 2024 season: Washington State, Oregon State, Cal, and Stanford. Moos questioned the value of these remaining schools, pointing out that there has been a lack of trust, poor communication, and self-interest among conference members. He also expressed the fear that another school could leave the conference at any time. However, Moos acknowledged that his retirement brings him some relief from these concerns.
Moos, who served as the athletic director at Washington State from 2010 to 2017, played a crucial role in securing the Pac-12’s media deal during his tenure. The deal brought significant funding to Washington State, enabling the construction of $165 million worth of football facilities and helping the team achieve competitiveness. In the ten seasons from 2012 to 2022, Washington State went to eight bowl games, matching the number of bowl games they had played in the previous three decades.
However, Moos believes that the influx of money into college athletics through media contracts and name, image, and likeness (NIL) has contributed to the current dilemma. He stated that college athletes now prioritize monetary opportunities, resulting in an imbalance between larger and smaller markets. For example, Los Angeles offers better NIL deals compared to smaller towns like Pullman and Corvallis. This shift has led to a division between the haves and the have nots in college sports.
Interestingly, Moos highlighted the irony of the Pac-12’s decline, as the conference was in a much stronger position only 12 years ago. At the time, the Pac-12 had expanded with Utah and Colorado, and there was interest from Texas to join the conference. Additionally, with equal distribution of media revenue, the Pac-12 had achieved a level of parity never seen before.
Having also worked in the Big Ten as the athletic director at Nebraska from 2017 to 2021, Moos warned the incoming Pac-12 programs about the challenges they will face in the new conference. He emphasized that USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon are excellent programs, but they will need to be prepared for the competition in the Big Ten. Teams entering venues like Ann Arbor, Columbus, or Lincoln should brace themselves for intense matchups.
Bill Moos’s concerns shed light on the uncertain state of the Pac-12 conference, highlighting the need for better communication, trust, and solidarity among member schools. The constantly changing landscape of college athletics, fueled by financial factors and shifting priorities, poses significant challenges to the preservation of conferences and parity among teams. As the Pac-12 navigates these challenges, the conference’s future and ability to regain its former prominence remain uncertain.
