Pac-12 exploring ‘all expansion options’ as Big Ten reportedly awaiting Notre Dame; Oregon, Washington on hold

The Pac-12 is exploring expansion while the Big Ten is reportedly awaiting a decision from Notre Dame and has told Oregon and Washington it’s holding at 16 teams for now.

A day after UCLA and USC were admitted to the Big Ten beginning in August 2024, the Pac-12 announced it is exploring expansion.

“The Pac-12 Board of Directors met this morning and authorized the conference to explore all expansion options,” the conference announced Friday. “The 10 university presidents and chancellors remain committed to a shared mission of academic and athletic excellence on behalf of our student-athletes.”

In early June, Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff said he was “absolutely not” concerned about the conference being poached by the Big Ten and that it was “really happy at 12 schools.”

A year ago, the Pac-12 elected not to expand by adding schools from the Big 12, which is losing Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC and is going to add BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF.

Now the Pac-12 has to scramble to find potential suitors to add or risk survival.

Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington have been told by the Big Ten that it is “standing pat for now” as it awaits a decision by Notre Dame, according to CBSSports.com.

Washington issued a statement on Friday saying it is working with the Pac-12 to “examine options and opportunities.”

Washington State, Oregon, Stanford and Arizona State are the four remaining members yet to issue a formal statement since the Los Angeles schools announced their departure from the conference.