The difference isn't about revenue. It is about LA, academics, and fit. SDSU is the most palatable by far. Getting the PAC to spend up on them (not unequal revenue sharing) or even taking them if AZ wanted them in order to retain a presence in southern CA, is plausible, although not probable.
I am not for it, but I don't agree we can unequivocally say that a G5 that part of the Big 12 wanted over Houston last year, is unequivocally not a factor in this. Communicating we are open to adding SDSU with AZ, if AZ is favorable to it, makes sense.
No, just no. SDSU is not a factor in this in any way, shape or form. They have no business in the Big XII given current and likely future scenarios. They're a clear #11 if we're ranking the PAC teams in order of preference for the Big XII, and we know for a fact that not all 10 PAC schools are a good add for the Big XII.
Last year was a different scenario. The Big XII had to expand or it wasn't going to be a viable conference. Nobody's leaving the SEC or Big 10 for the Big XII (not even Minnesota). The ACC's locked up. The PAC schools opted to stand pat. There were no P5 schools on the table for the Big XII to take, it was G5 or bust. Yes, I could see Houston and SDSU being on somewhat similar footing, but Texas actually cares about football so Houston has a fighting chance to build up their fanbase.
The PAC is in a similar situation right now, though they aren't in a must-expand situation like the Big XII was. The Big XII is in a position right now where they don't have to make any moves right now. The PAC is pinned in. When it comes down to it, their options are going to be:
- Stick together and a be a distant #5 of the P5
- Add 2-4 schools and be a further distant #5 of the P5
- Go to the ACC, make less than they could in the Big XII and potentially find themselves in the exact same place in 10 or so years. And that's if the ACC even wants to expand.
- Go to the Big XII to maximize their potential earnings and enjoy as much stability as possible.
The PAC has, IMO, 3 schools that are a hard no for the Big XII (WA St, Cal, OR St), 5 schools that are a maybe (Utah, ASU, Stanford, CO, AZ in that order) and 2 schools that are a hell yes (WA, OR obviously). If Oregon and Washington have some conditions for coming on board (along with a decent length GOR), I'm all ears if I'm the Big XII, but they're not bringing along another mouth to feed. AZ is the last of the "maybe schools." They're not dictating anything. If they want to be in the same conference as SDSU, they should just stick around the PAC for another GOR/media deal.
Look, San Diego is a great place to go visit. You should go there on a vacation. The beaches are really nice and Sea World and the zoo are quite popular if you're into that sort of thing. The burritos are top notch, and the craft beer scene is good (but not as good as the locals seem to think it is). However, unless the Big XII reworks it's Bowl affiliations, if you're going there to watch an Iowa St game, ****'s gone real sideways on the Big XII.