Report: B1G interest on adding additional Pac-12 programs has 'cooled'

The ongoing conference realignment saga is not likely to be completed in the near future. However, the B1G may be content to stay at 16 teams with the additions of USC and UCLA.

In a Wednesday report from Dennis Dodd with CBS Sports, Dodd indicated that the B1G has “cooled” its interest in additional Pac-12 programs. Dodd specifically cited Oregon, California, Stanford and Washington.

According to Dodd, rightsholders are “balking” at the idea of paying those 4 Pac-12 programs on a similar level as the other 16 teams that will make up the B1G.

After the anxiety caused last week regarding further Big Ten expansion, industry sources have indicated the Big Ten is no longer as interested in adding California, Oregon, Stanford and Washington. Rightsholders were balking at paying the same amount for those schools as the 16 Big Ten schools going forward ($80 million-$100 million).

Dodd also reported that the B1G will concentrate on its new deal in 2023 and focus on attempting to lure Notre Dame to the conference. However, Dodd included that more and more people believe the Irish will remain as an independent.