The possibility of a future somewhere for Gonzaga other than the West Coast Conference “is on the table,” as the school is “being talked about as a potential target for bigger conferences,” according to Tim Booth of the AP. Gonzaga has been a member of the WCC since 1979, but AD Chris Standiford said “there’s always the need” to look and evaluate what is best for the school. Standiford: “I think you just have to stay open-minded and you have to be willing to look at the existing ecosystem and recognize that it’s not static, it’s very dynamic. And you have to anticipate what some of that dynamism means, and not be complacent.” The realignment juggle may be “hitting its peak” with regards to football. That is “left the question of what’s next and what could be done” regarding college basketball, the “net most profitable college sport.” Booth noted Gonzaga would not “bring television market size,” but the school “would definitely offer brand relevance.” Standiford said that is “probably the lesson that I get taught over and over… we underappreciate the power of our brand nationally.” One possible opportunity for Gonzaga “could be with the Big 12” and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark “has not been shy” about expressing his desire to have a presence on the West Coast. Yormark has also said that he views basketball as “being undervalued” and he is open to “adding a member that doesn’t play football.” Booth adds the Pac-12 “is also evaluating its future” as USC and UCLA depart the conference in 2024 (AP, 12/22).
