In one of the most unlikely survival stories of the college football realignment era, the Pac-12 Conference has secured a media rights deal for the 2025 football season despite fielding just two teams, Oregon State and Washington State. The new agreement will feature coverage on The CW Network, CBS, and ESPN, keeping the Pac-12 brand visible on national television for one final transition year before a full relaunch in 2026.
Pac-12 Leans on CW, CBS, and ESPN To Keep Brand Alive in Transition Year
Announced on Tuesday, the deal marks the second consecutive year The CW will air Pac-12 football games. For 2025, The CW will broadcast nine games, while CBS and ESPN will air two games each. It’s a crucial bridge year for a conference long defined by prestige and history, now operating in survival mode with just two remaining members.
After the mass exodus of 10 member schools to other Power Five conferences, the Pac-12 was reduced to Oregon State and Washington State, often dubbed the “Pac-2.”
In 2024, the conference managed to keep its brand afloat thanks to a partnership with The CW, which televised 11 of its home games.
Those broadcasts averaged 431,000 viewers per game, while two games aired on FOX drew an average of nearly two million viewers.
The 2025 deal improves that visibility by bringing in established college football broadcasters CBS and ESPN, a significant win for the conference.
The first of two matchups between Oregon State and Washington State will air on CBS on Nov. 1, and the iconic Apple Cup rivalry between Washington and Washington State will also get primetime treatment on CBS.
These placements provide high-value exposure and credibility for the two remaining programs.
While 2025 will be another year of waiting, the real revival comes in 2026, when the Pac-12 is set to expand by adding Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the Mountain West.
The league will also add Gonzaga as a non-football member, bolstering its basketball profile. One additional football-playing member is expected to be announced to round out the new Pac-12 lineup.
This strategic expansion positions the Pac-12 to relaunch as a viable, competitive conference in all major sports. The fact that it has maintained national media partnerships during this uncertain time speaks to the strength of its brand and the resolve of Oregon State and Washington State leadership.
While many had counted the Pac-12 out, this new media rights deal proves the Conference of Champions isn’t done yet. With visibility on The CW, CBS, and ESPN, the Pac-12 will maintain national relevance in 2025, laying the groundwork for a full rebirth in 2026.
KEEP READING: ESPN Analyst Drops Bold Comparison Between Oklahoma QB John Mateer and Former Sooner Baker Mayfield
For Oregon State, Washington State, and fans of West Coast football, it’s a much-needed sign that the fight for survival is turning into a story of resurrection.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
