A day before beginning a two-year commitment as the Pac-12's new commissioner, Teresa Gould said the most important part of her job will be helping the two remaining schools, Oregon State and Washington State, – position yourself for the future.
“That strategic piece is really being bold and aggressive, being intentional and really attacking these challenges head-on, but also being open-minded and making sure that we're considering all options,” Gould said in a video conference.
“That's probably the most important and urgent part of my role: partnering with the leaders of both campuses to forge that future path for their two campuses and their athletic programs.”
Gould, who was joined by Washington State President Kirk Schulz, did not provide any details on what that future might look like beyond the next two seasons, during which Oregon State and Washington State will compete in the Conference of the West Coast in most sports, along with a football programming partnership with the Mountain West.
For a conference to exist, the NCAA requires “at least seven active Division I members,” all of whom must sponsor men's and women's basketball, and for the conference to sponsor at least 12 Division I sports, among other requirements.
In the case of departures, the NCAA bylaws give a conference a two-year grace period during which it can exist without the minimum number of schools. The Pac-12's grace period begins in the 2024-25 academic year.
“I think we all felt that was an important commitment that I am committed to maintaining during the NCAA grace period and through those two agreements. [with the WCC and MWC] to make sure we're collaborating and getting this work done,” Gould said.
Gould confirmed that there has been no formal discussion with the Mountain West about a full merger or so-called reverse merger that would formally link Oregon State and Washington State to the MWC member schools.
“Both conferences know that we have a multi-year window where there has to be a final landing spot for those two schools,” Schulz said. “And so I think we need to keep communications open back and forth. We need to make sure that we don't come around strutting around thinking we're better than everyone else from where we were before. We'll end up kicking each other's butts if that happens.
“But I do think it's really important for us to keep that partnership there, keep communications open, and we're counting on Teresa to work with her fellow commissioners on those two conferences and also on what future partnerships might look like.”
The conference will continue to operate under the Pac-12 brand and maintain its television studio in San Ramon, California, for at least one more academic year. Gould did not provide an update on what should be expected regarding television broadcasts of OSU and WSU home football games, only saying that she had been “encouraged by the interest in those media rights” and was hopeful for that there would be an announcement in the near future. .
