Most of the increase is driven by media rights deals with ESPN and Fox, and the growth of Pac-12 NetworksGetty Images
The Pac-12 reported revenues of $509M for FY '16-17, surpassing $500M "for the first time," according to Ralph Russo of the AP. The conference distributed $371M to its 12 schools, an increase of 8% "from the previous year." Most of the increase is "driven by media rights deals" with ESPN and Fox, and the growth of Pac-12 Networks. The conference said that member distributions since '13 have increased by 63% from $228M while total revenue has grown 53%. However, the Pac-12 "still lags far behind" the SEC ($41M) and the Big Ten (reportedly $38.5M) in terms of average distribution to members. The Big 12 ($34.3M) also is "ahead of the Pac-12, leading to some concerns in the Pac-12 about keeping up with the competition." Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott: “People are delighted with the type of revenue growth that we’ve had. But it’s a very, very competitive world" (AP, 5/3). Colorado AD Rick George said the year-over-year growth in revenues and distributions is a "real positive sign of the conference." George: "That distribution directly supports our investment into student athletes and having successful athletic programs. … It goes into our general fund. We bring all of our revenue sources in and try to put a budget in place that allows us to be in the black.” In Denver, Kyle Fredrickson notes George "wasn’t concerned over the current discrepancy between the Pac-12’s distribution and other leagues." George: “Everything changes. Not many years ago, our conference was one of the top leaders when its television contract came up. It kind of set the bar for the others. The timing of those sometimes makes a difference in the overall distributions year to year” (DENVER POST, 5/4).
