Zags would see disbursements more than double in joining newly formed Pac-12

Sep. 23—Joining the newly rebuilt Pac-12 conference would almost certainly bring more revenue to Gonzaga University athletics, but quantifying just how much is easier said than done.

The challenge lies in the West Coast Conference and the private university being historically tight-lipped about its financials, including the conference’s current media rights agreement and changes made to its disbursement model in 2018.

As rumors continue to circulate surrounding the basketball powerhouse’s potential move to the Pac-12, the figures that are available show it could be a $5 million to $12 million boon for Gonzaga Athletics.

In their attempts to rebuild what was the West Coast’s premier conference, Pac-12 officials have been reportedly teasing annual disbursements of $10 million to $15 million to prospective new members. That figure was apparently enough for outgoing Mountain West Conference schools Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State to come aboard, with all sports beginning in 2026.

If Gonzaga were to join the conference with a full share of that expected payout, as Brett McMurphy of Action Network reported Monday morning, it could be a salve for the Bulldogs’ long-held frustrations with their nearly 40-year relationship with the WCC.

Gonzaga would likely see more competitive matchups, and with programs that have made comparative investments in athletics — both areas Gonzaga’s leadership has said their current conference is lacking.

Joining the Pac-12 would bring Gonzaga a $5 million to $12 million in annual revenue, according to WCC tax filings.

The WCC disbursed a total of $4.35 million to its 11 member schools in 2022, with Gonzaga receiving the lion’s share at $3.2 million, according to the filings. Conference rival St. Mary’s College, also rumored to be in discussions with the Pac-12, was the next closest at $636,000 that year.

Gonzaga’s lopsided share — which doesn’t include substantial local television revenues — is likely due to the…

Source link : https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zags-see-disbursements-more-double-035900871.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2024-09-24 03:59:00

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