Big 12 and Pac-10 Talking Partnership for TV and Schedules

How would you feel about the Pac-10 and Big 12 working together on a TV package and scheduling alliance?

Big 12, Pac-10 talking about partnership for TV alliance, football schedules

By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

Officials from the Big 12 and Pac-10 examined possible TV alliances as well as scheduling partnerships in football during preliminary talks Wednesday and Thursday in Phoenix.

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and Pac-10 counterpart Larry Scott attended, along with conferences athletic directors. The talks came against the backdrop of possible Big Ten expansion.

"Larry and I have talked for several months in regards to collaborating to enhance media value and working in any ways that might aid the two leagues and be a helpful alliance," Beebe said, confirming the talks.

Possibilities include working together on TV contracts or perhaps even a shared network. The two conferences feature 22 schools west of the Mississippi with strong bases in Texas and California markets.

Non-conference scheduling in football for "meaningful September games," Beebe said, could enhance future TV negotiations. The conferences already hold a men's basketball series.

Beebe said the conferences intend to keep separate identities.

"There's no desire to merge the two," he said. "We feel like 12 is the maximum number that operates well in football."