Analyst sends bullish message on Pac-4 surviving with Oliver Luck in charge

The survival of the Pac-4 with Oliver Luck now in charge in a consulting capacity is something college football inside John Canzano believes can happen; albeit adding that it is likely a longshot.

“Luck declined comment for this piece but I’m told by sources that he’s been hired to serve the Pac-4 schools in an advisory role.,” Canzano prefaced before saying, “The four remaining members are in a dicey spot with limited options, but Luck’s involvement in the dilemma is interesting. Could Luck help save the Pac-4? It’s a long shot, but I sure feel better about the conference’s chance to survive with him around. Luck will help the remaining members sort out those answers in the coming days and weeks. Meanwhile, I reached out to an executive at one of the four remaining schools with a follow-up question: Am I being naive to think rebuilding the Pac-4 is a viable option? The answer: ‘No you are not.'”

As it stands, Cal and Stanford are actively seeking ACC membership but are being denied due to the votes of FSU, Clemson, North Carolina, and NC State.

Pac-4 is in trouble because the Pac-12 turned down a media deal

The Pac-12 turning down massive money from ESPN put the Pac-4 in the position it is now according to On3’s Matt Connolly.

“The lack of a TV deal, or at least one that schools were happy with, played a big role in Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah choosing to leave the league this summer,” Connolly prefaced before saying, “According to John Canzano, ESPN offered a TV rights deal of $30 million per school last fall, which is a better offer than what Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff brought to the table from Apple this summer. However, Canzano reports that Pac-12 presidents and chancellors wanted more from ESPN, asking for $50 million per school.”

So, in summary, video killed the radio star, and George Kliavkoff killed the Pac-12 — and the Pac-4’s future fate hangs in the balance as a result.