Pac-12's George Kliavkoff: Big 12 Possibly Poaching Teams 'Not a Concern'

Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff isn't worried about the threat of the Big 12 trying to get teams to switch conferences.

"It's not a concern," Kliavkoff said at the Pac-12 media day, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich. "Our schools are committed to each other and the Pac-12. We'll get our media rights deal done, we'll announce the deal. I think the realignment that's going on in college athletics will come to an end for this cycle."

Kliavkoff's comments come with the Pac-12 having yet to announce a new media rights deal and growing speculation about further realignment in college football and its potential impact on the conference.

The Pac-12 is losing UCLA and USC to the Big 10 in 2024, and there's always the possibility for more schools to depart the conference in the future, especially with the Big 12 looking to expand following the departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC next year.

While Texas and Oklahoma are departing for the SEC next season, the Big 12 will include 14 teams in 2023 with the additions of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to the conference this year.

Once the Longhorns and Sooners exit, the Big 12 will include 12 teams.

Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State have been mentioned as potential candidates to exit the Pac-12. The Big 12 has been in contact with all four schools, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd reported in March.

In a recent interview with On3's Eric Prisbell, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was asked whether or not he'd be disappointed if the conference hasn't risen to 14 teams within the next two years, confirming his interest in expansion.

He responded:

"I would say if in two years we have not solidified ourselves at 14, I would be a little disappointed. Just because I'm so bullish on our conference. I think there is really opportunity and possibility out there for us. I love the 12. I think we have great makeup right now, especially with the four new members and the continuing eight. "

"But two years from now, I'd like to see us kind of look at things a little differently and maybe look a little differently. And hopefully, that happens. And if that doesn't happen, it is okay. But I'd say I guess I'd be slightly disappointed."

If the Pac-12's media deal doesn't end up satisfying the remaining teams in the conference, there will be even further speculation about its future. According to Dinich, the conference's new media deal is expected to include "a mix of streaming and linear options" similar to the Big 12 and ACC.

Dinich reported Tuesday that the Pac-12 is expected to release the details of its media rights deal in the "near future."