The Rebuilt Pac-12 Just Landed a Game-Changing Media Deal with USA Sports

Get ready for a whole new viewing experience! The Pac-12 has officially wrapped up a crucial five-year media rights agreement with USA Sports, ensuring all its football and key basketball games will be easily accessible on linear TV starting in the 2026-27 season.

TL;DR: The Big Takeaways

• The Pac-12, featuring new members like San Diego State and Boise State, secured a five-year deal with USA Sports (USA Network) through the 2030-31 season.
• Fans can expect 22 regular-season football games, 50 men's basketball games, and 5-10 women's basketball games annually on USA Network, plus coverage on CBS, CBS Sports Network, and The CW.
• This deal prioritizes broad "reach and ease of access" for viewers, meaning all intra-conference football games will be on linear TV, a big win for fans.

Imagine this: it's a crisp Saturday morning in the fall of 2026. You've just poured your coffee, and you're ready to settle in for some college football. You flip on your TV, maybe to USA Network, and there it is – the new-look Pac-12, ready to kick off. For a conference that seemed on the brink just a short while ago, this isn't just a comeback; it's a blockbuster reboot, complete with a fresh cast of teams and a new distribution deal that promises plenty of action for fans.

The Pac-12 has been through a major transformation, losing most of its legacy members. But like a resilient movie franchise getting a much-needed refresh, it's now back with a finalized media rights agreement. The big news? A five-year partnership with Usa Sports, bringing a substantial chunk of its athletic events to USA Network, starting with the 2026-27 academic year and running through the 2030-31 season. This completes a critical puzzle piece in the conference's future, particularly for its football and basketball offerings. Source: [ESPN News Services, "Pac-12, USA Sports ink TV deal through 2030-31", Nov 13, 2025]

USA Sports Steps Up as a Key Partner for the Pac-12's New Era

The core of this exciting new arrangement is USA Sports, a fresh face in the sports broadcasting landscape. This entity is part of Versant, a new media company that's being spun off from Comcast/NBC. Think of Versant as a new studio, and USA Sports as its dedicated sports division, encompassing all sports programming on USA Network, The Golf Channel, and CNBC. This Pac-12 deal marks the very first media rights partnership for this newly formed USA Sports entity, signaling their serious intent to dive into high-quality sports content.

Matt Hong, President of USA Sports, made it clear what this means for their viewers. "This partnership with the Pac-12 adds high-quality college football to our portfolio at USA Sports, which will largely be comprised of Saturday doubleheaders," he stated. He added that the collaboration "strengthens our USA Sports portfolio and further establishes USA Network as a destination for top-tier sports and entertainment." Source: [Chris Vannini, The Athletic, "Rebuilt Pac-12 reaches 5-year media rights deal with USA Sports starting in fall 2026", Nov. 13, 2025]

This isn't USA Network's first rodeo with sports, mind you. They've already got a solid portfolio that includes the WNBA, NASCAR, the PGA Tour, Premier League soccer, and even WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Adding Pac-12 football and basketball to that lineup means USA Network is gearing up to be a true weekend destination for sports enthusiasts.

Meet the New Cast: Teams Powering the Revamped Conference

So, who are the stars of this new Pac-12 show? The rebuilt conference will feature nine full members for the 2026-27 season. These teams form the backbone of a fresh start, aiming to bring compelling competition to fans across the country.

• Oregon State
• Washington State
• Boise State
• Colorado State
• Fresno State
• San Diego State
• Texas State
• Utah State
• Gonzaga (a non-football member, focusing on all other sports)

Beyond these core members, the conference is also bringing in affiliate members for specific sports, like Dallas Baptist for baseball, Northern Illinois for wrestling, and Southern Utah for women's gymnastics, further broadening its athletic reach.

“The new Pac-12 is where tradition meets transformation – a unique opportunity in the rapidly-evolving college sports landscape that strongly aligns with the go-forward vision of USA Sports. We are thrilled to launch this partnership with the USA Sports team and leverage our shared vision to build something unique and special.”

– Teresa Gould, Pac-12 Commissioner

The production quality is also set to be top-notch. Pac-12 Enterprises, the conference's own broadcast production arm, will be in charge of producing all the football, men's basketball, and women's basketball games airing on USA Sports. This means the conference retains a significant level of control over the presentation of its games, ensuring a consistent and high-quality viewing experience.

Your Viewing Guide: Where to Catch All the Action

One of the biggest wins for fans in this new media deal is the commitment to accessibility. The Pac-12 explicitly prioritized "reach and ease of access" in its negotiations, aiming to make games as easy to find as possible. This strategy has paid off, as all Pac-12 intra-conference football games will be available on linear TV networks, meaning no more scrambling for obscure streaming services just to catch a game.

Here’s a breakdown of where you can expect to see your favorite teams starting in the 2026-27 season:

Pac-12 Football on Your Screens:

• USA Network: 22 regular-season games annually (often Saturday doubleheaders).
• The CW: 13 regular-season games.
• CBS Sports Network: A maximum of 10 regular-season games.
• CBS (and Paramount+ streaming): A minimum of 3 regular-season games, plus the highly anticipated Pac-12 Championship game.

A major bonus for football fans: USA Network will announce all of its kickoff times well in advance, in the first quarter of 2026. This means you'll know exactly when to tune in, allowing for easier planning around your weekend schedules.

Men's Basketball Coverage:

• USA Network: 50 regular-season games, plus most of the conference tournament rounds leading up to the championship.
• The CW: 35 regular-season games.
• CBS Sports Network: A maximum of 17 regular-season games.
• CBS (and Paramount+ streaming): A minimum of 3 regular-season games, with CBS also carrying the conference tournament championship game.

Women's Basketball & Other Sports:

• USA Network: 5-10 regular-season games.
• The CW: 15 regular-season games, plus the conference tournament semifinals and championship game.

While the football and men's basketball rights are largely settled, the full women's basketball rights package and plans for most of the Olympic sports are still being finalized. This means there might be additional announcements down the line for those sports, potentially involving streaming platforms like ESPN+. So, keep an eye out for updates!

One aspect often discussed with media deals is the financial component. While the Pac-12 has made it clear it's prioritizing "exposure over money" to ensure games are easily accessible, specific financial details of the USA Sports deal have not been publicly disclosed. However, estimates circulating among industry insiders suggest the deal could bring in anywhere from $7-12 million annually per school, with Gonzaga reportedly receiving a full share. Source: [Gonzaga News & Analysis, "The Pac-12 Finalizes Media Rights Deal with USA Network, Closing the Loop", Nov 13, 2025]

Gonzaga's New Chapter: A Shift from the Familiar

For fans of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, this new deal marks a significant shift. For years, Mark Few's highly successful men's basketball program has been a staple on ESPN and ESPN2. However, with the Pac-12's new media partners, that long-standing relationship appears to be on hiatus during conference play through 2030-31.

This doesn't mean fewer games, just different channels. Gonzaga, known for its high-level matchups, is expected to see its marquee games against teams like San Diego State and Boise State featured prominently on CBS or CBS Sports Network. Games against other opponents, particularly those against lower-level conference foes, could end up on USA Network or The CW. Interestingly, reports indicate that Gonzaga will have the "first pick of games," followed by USA Network and then The CW, suggesting their top-tier matchups will still land on prominent national channels. Source: [Gonzaga News & Analysis, "The Pac-12 Finalizes Media Rights Deal with USA Network, Closing the Loop", Nov 13, 2025]

Example: Saturday Game Day for a Gonzaga Fan

Meet Alex, a devoted Gonzaga basketball fan living in Seattle. For years, their Saturday routine involved firing up ESPN to catch the Zags. With this new deal, Alex's routine will shift. Instead of immediately going to ESPN, they'll check their TV guide for CBS or USA Network. If it's a big conference clash, CBS might be the first stop. If it's another exciting matchup, USA Network or The CW will be the destination. The key is knowing which network to look for, a slight change, but one that ensures they can still easily find their team playing without an extra subscription.

Why This "Reboot" Matters for College Sports

This Pac-12 deal with USA Sports isn't just about game broadcasts; it's a testament to resilience and strategic adaptation in the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. The conference, once thought to be crumbling, has successfully reinvented itself by focusing on a clear vision for its future and its fans.

For the new member schools, this robust media package provides stability and national exposure. San Diego State, for example, which officially joins the Pac-12 era on July 1, 2026, will now have a clear path to showcase its football and basketball programs to a national audience. Source: [Times of San Diego, "San Diego State Sports Fans Will Watch Pac-12 Games on USA Network Starting Next Year", Nov 13, 2025]

The deal also highlights a significant trend in sports media: the value of broad linear distribution. In an era where many sports properties are moving to exclusive streaming platforms, the Pac-12's commitment to over-the-air and widely available cable networks ensures that a massive audience can tune in without additional hurdles. This focus on "ease of access" directly benefits the casual fan and reinforces the idea that some content still thrives best on traditional TV.

Practical Takeaways for the Pac-12 Fan

• Get to Know Your Channels: Starting in 2026-27, your primary destinations for Pac-12 football and basketball will be USA Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, and The CW.
• Easy Access is Key: The conference has made a point of ensuring all intra-conference football games and a vast majority of basketball games will be on widely available linear TV.
• Gonzaga's New Home: Bulldog fans will see their team primarily on CBS, CBS Sports Network, USA Network, and The CW during conference play, marking a shift from their long-standing ESPN presence.
• Future Updates for Olympic Sports: Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding women's basketball (additional games) and Olympic sports, as those rights are still being finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Pac-12 Media Deal

When does the new media rights deal begin?

The new five-year partnership officially kicks off with the 2026-27 academic year and runs through the 2030-31 season.

Which TV networks will carry Pac-12 games?

You can expect to watch games on USA Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, and The CW. The Pac-12 Championship game for football and the men's basketball tournament final will be on CBS.

Will all Pac-12 football games be on TV?

Yes, 100% of the Pac-12's intra-conference football games will be available on linear TV networks, spread across USA Network, The CW, CBS Sports Network, and CBS.

What does this mean for Gonzaga basketball fans?

Gonzaga's conference games will primarily be shown on CBS, CBS Sports Network, USA Network, and The CW, shifting away from their long-time presence on ESPN during conference play. They are expected to have first pick for their high-profile matchups.

Sources:

• Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group, "The rebuilt conference completed the third and final step in its quest for a media rights agreement and will air 22 football games on USA Network," November 13, 2025
• ESPN News Services, "Pac-12, USA Sports ink TV deal through 2030-31," November 13, 2025
• Chris Vannini, The Athletic, "Rebuilt Pac-12 reaches 5-year media rights deal with USA Sports starting in fall 2026," November 13, 2025
• Andy Patton, Gonzaga News & Analysis, "The Pac-12 Finalizes Media Rights Deal with USA Network, Closing the Loop," November 13, 2025
• Zach Ballard, "The PAC 12 media deal is complete," November 14, 2025
• Austin Karp, Sports Business Journal, "USA Sports, Pac-12 strike five-year deal for football, hoops," November 13, 2025
• Times of San Diego, "San Diego State Sports Fans Will Watch Pac-12 Games on USA Network Starting Next Year," November 13, 2025
• Sam Taylor, Lewiston Tribune, "COUGAR NOTES: WSU searches for an AD as Pac-12 finds third media rights partner," November 14, 2025
• 247Sports, "Pac-12 completes five-year media rights deal with USA Network," November 13, 2025