Oregon State, Washington State and the Mountain West are in the "final stages of striking a football scheduling agreement for the 2024 season" that includes a "lucrative financial package for MWC schools," according to sources. The agreement, "for now just one season," is expected to include a fee of about $14M paid to the MWC. MWC teams would "play seven conference games ... plus one game against" either WSU or OSU, who will "compete as quasi-independents under the Pac-12 banner." There is an "option to extend the deal to the 2025 season," with an "intent and understanding of full-time membership for OSU and WSU in the Mountain West or a merger." OSU and WSU are "likely to negotiate separate broadcasting agreements" with MWC TV partners Fox and CBS Sports Network and "potentially others to televise their own home games" (YAHOO SPORTS, 11/28).
Meanwhile, the Washington Supreme Court today granted an "emergency stay in the Pac-12’s ongoing legal fight that further delays attempts" by WSU and OSU to "take control of the conference’s governing board." The schools plan to "appeal directly to the judges" and request that they "remove the stay to allow a critical preliminary injunction to take effect." The ruling also set Dec. 12 as the "deadline for all motions in the case" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 11/28).
Getty Images
