Memphis turning down the Pac-12 is a MISTAKE | Gary Parrish Show 

As a WSU fan, I knew travel wouldn’t be ideal but it felt like something special was being created. Sad it hasn’t worked out so far

Fresno State fan here. Was so disappointed that this deal did not work out. Kind of feel like ABC/ESPN had something to do with it. My son lives in your area and we would’ve had some great tailgating parties with y’all. Still hoping someday it’ll happen.

As a Boise State fan, I was really hoping to have Memphis in the league

Aztec fan here was looking forward to memphis joining the pac 12. Maybe down the road

Also, as an Aztec alumnus and long time San Diego resident I get where you are coming from and you are absolutely correct. The decision Memphis made was small time. Seen a lot of that in San Diego and from SDSU over the years. Fortunately that has changed over the last decade. You can't sit back in a bad situation and wait for someone to fix it for you. Scared money don't make no money. Let's go!!!!!

Fresno st fan here ☹️ I really wanted to play Memphis.. we could have build something especial….

RC Johnson would be proud 🎉

It is COMPLETELY moronic to turn this opportunity down. I imagine it will look even dumber as the days and weeks go by.

I feel like maybe ranked teams isn’t the relevant thing so much as overall money. Behind fees and travel it cuts down from hypothetical tv deals and they didn’t see enough to make the jump. Memphis is in just as good of a spot to make the playoff as they would in the pac-12 and likely has the money working out better

This is why I think that the University of Memphis has no idea what it is doing. They obviously don't care about winning championships or pleasing the fans. The Power conferences and the Group of 5 conferences need to separate immediately.

Memphis slept on the CBB part. UNLV, Gonzaga, USU, SDSU all consistent tournament teams the last few years. Memphis hurt themselves imo even in football Boise St vs Memphis? OSU, Wazzu? Would have been pretty nice to see.

Maybe once the dust has settled with this fight over poach fees PAC-12 will take another look and help more than 10% to make this happen. Because league with SDU, Gonzaga, USU and Memphis top tier conference for basketball.

As an Aztec fan, I have to say you all are incredible! While the Pac-12 may no longer be a power conference, it will undoubtedly be the best among those outside the top four. No doubt about it!

My dream scenario was 1. Oregon St 2. Washington St 3. Boise St 4. San Diego St 5. Fresno St 6. Colorado St 7. Utah St 8. UNLV 9. New Mexico 10. Memphis Basketball Only 11. Gonzaga 12. Saint Maries

I agree with you Gary.

I'm old enough to remember Memphis State and Cincinnati leaving the metro to form the Great Midwest Conference. That broke up the great rivalries both schools had with Louisville. I remember Cincy and Memphis fans acting like they were moving up past Louisville. Then we all got back together when we formed C-USA. Then Cincy and UofL moved on to the Big East leaving Memphis behind. After the Big East split we all got back one more time in this new AAC thing. Fortunately for UofL it was just a one year stay before moving to the ACC which we've been in now for a decade. Looks like Cincy has moved on to the Big 12. I don't even know who else besides Memphis who is in the AAC now. Ultimately I'd trade Cal, Stanford, and SMU, who are in their first year in the ACC, for Cincy, West Virginia, and Memphis, but old rivalries and geography just don't seem to mean anything anymore.

They don't even have a TV deal yet I think Memphis is smart if they get a good TV deal I'm sure I'm not finished but still be able look to join that league in a year or two

We’re going to have a newly renovated stadium for rice & Charlotte. I was disappointed in this decision because I’m convinced we’ll never get into another conference. Yes it was a lateral move but it was a beneficial lateral move. But the pac12 would’ve been a better conference. That 2.5 could’ve came up to 10 and that would’ve been more appealing to make the jump. This conference is on its last leg because there is nobody else to add that adds value to this conference. They definitely killed a lot of my confidence in the school. Then on top of that losing to navy killed your season and now you have to win every game and hope another school falls off. If not we’ll have 10 wins playing in the Birmingham bowl.

The Pac12 will ALWAYS take Memphis. Memphis is in the position of power. They need to see what the fallout of the ACC will be before they make any drastic decisions. It makes no sense to commit to an unknown G5 outcome when the potential of an ACC invite is possible. I think the other teams are mad because that's not a potential option for them. I'm sure those Westcoast schools don't care about Memphis & USF's travel cost of their 19 different intercollegiate sports. That'll be their problem to deal with huh? They should just be happy to be associated with the new Pac12... right?

Gary, Memphis beat the best PAC12 school Boise State last year. They're not going to be getting any good market schools...won't get a good tv deal.

I wish the big 12 added memphis for all sports, dropped Houston football but kept their other sports, and added gonzaga for all sports they have.

AAC is the new C-USA and everyone knows it.

Sounds like a bad deal for everybody.

The PAc will pay more for Memphis this week and then offer USF and Tulane nothing. They will have to pay their own way.

The PAC has only a 5 year grant of rights! It is meant to be a 5 year showcase for the P4. Memphis will join by Friday.

They’d find the exit fee $ for the ACC.

A big mistake trying to dominate in a weak league a bad choice .

Why go from one g5 league to another with that travel? Pac will be g5 no matter how hard they scream.

plus the PAC has no major bowl tie ins... oops

What money were you guaranteed? Extra travel costs.

Incompetence

Give the SEC ten years and that league will break up. Texas is toxic AF. TExasA&M , Missouri, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Auburn will get tired of them pushing their weight around. They are greedy. I can see them dropping Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Auburn, South Carolina etc. for more money. Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Ol Miss, Texas and Oklahoma are the real money makers and I know that they will cut the other teams for more money.

Facts. PAC 12 is way better in football and basketball than AAC. Itll be the 5th best conference and in basketball it may be top 3 tbh. PAC-12 has money and tv network/tech etc

Pac-12 is just like the ACC everybody good their is gone

Pac 12 can probably match AAC in terms of money to teams. I think Memphis saw that and didnt want to lose money with increased travel costs. Tough for the PAC. Hope the ACC comes knocking.

As a Memphis fan, I'm pissed that we didn't join the Pac!

As an Oregon state fan, was really looking forward to matchups with the tigers and Tulane. It was a chance for all us programs to punch back together. It is a leap of faith for us pac 12 too, it’s always a risk. Best of luck to Memphis.

Region doesn't matter anymore. Simply better sports in the pac12. Memphis duh

Couldn’t agree more, hopefully those 4 AAC schools will reconsider their decision and come back to the drawing board with the PAC.

He's right. Memphis took the security blanket of the guaranteed $9mil and no exit fees. The new Pac12 has five teams in the Massey FB index top 60. The AAC has one. Memphis. The New PAC has 6 Teams in the Massey Basketball top 80. The AAC has one. Memphis.

The door was only closed on 2026 due to the high exit fees. 2027 or 2028 are still on the table IF the PAC can get to 8 and present a good TV deal.

Gotta say I'm a Bit disappointed AS a Wazzu fan, but I also like Utah State, our previous pickup from Utah turned out quite nice

As a Memphis Fan i was excited to see a really tuff football and basketball conference ,Pac12 would have been a good time. I know all those teams been watching sports for years. I dont know why they didn't take would have been exciting.

This really sucks. Not only would it have given the PAC the needed number of schools, it would have added legitimacy and time zones. As a Coug, all the wind went out of my sales with the news. Praying on Gonzaga now.

As a Memphis fan (former) just tear the Liberty Bowl down and quit football. Be done with it. We obviously don't have people in the places that direct things that care. I'm never going to another football game again. We really blew it this time. I hate this program. Nothing but heartache.

I was shocked. WSU fan here. I was looking forward to you guys being over here. Fucking sucks. Wanted you guys to come on over. Maybe it cam be worked out later. Who knows. Damn shame.

As a Fresno state fan I was looking forward to being in the same conference as Memphis, but after this I have no respect for them. They would seriously rather play FAU and Charlotte than some of the better G5 programs like Fresno State and Boise State

Preach! Holding out on a prayer reflects what Memphis has been doing. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

All of my life I've been a Memphis Tigers fan(over 4 decades). This decision has sucked the fandom out of me! I've tried for decades to view the positives about the university and the city, in general. But after being overlooked time and time again--this city, when the ball's in its court/destiny's in its own hand, will make the wrong decision. This city hosted 2 Mike Tyson fights and a Roy Jones Jr fight in a 3 year window and didn't capitalize(Zero major fights in 20 years since); Olympics considered Memphis as a host city and asked for a bid(Mayor at the time refused to offer bid); losing out on Major companies relocation(into/out of the city); never acquiring gambling/casinos(I know that's a state thing but the city never really tried to get that changed); etc. The university missing out on realignment for over 30 years(SEC, Big East, Big 12, ACC) after it was part of the first conference(Metro) to propose a superconference. Now after gaining ownership of the Liberty Bowl Stadium and pouring millions into a renovation, they turned down an opportunity to join a conference of universities with the same goal. A hot girl/guy asks you out and you reply, "No thanks! I'm waiting on that group of hotter girls/guys to say yes to my repeated asking for a date." Geez!

If I were a P4, I’d never add these schools now. If they can’t bet on themselves now, how would I expect them to further build themselves in my league.

LETS GO AZTECS !!! Agree with pretty much everything you had to say.🚀💯💫 It would have been a super interesting league with you guys also in it, but maybe in the future.

Fresno fan I was excited to play Memphis. My hope is that the pac keeps your number and you can join later because I think we would still welcome you with open arms

Once the PAC12 gets a 15M media deal, Memphis will regret it. Memphis is banking on FSU and Clemson leaving so they can get the ACC invite.

As a West Coast fan, I've never had a chance to watch your channel. Damn, I wish I had somebody like you over here calling out our universities for stupid decisions

Boise State fan disappointed Memphis will not be joining the Pac.

I love your point about the on-campus football stadium. Oregon State and WAZZU have been consistently upgrading their on-campus facilities for decades and that's one of the ways they attract student-athletes who likely would not be attracted there otherwise. Power conference level facilities end up paying for themselves by what they attract.

As an alum of the U of M, I'm officially uncommitted to the University. Putting my money and focus on pro sports now.

It’s definitely not worth it to take a leap of faith for a media deal that may only pay 3 million more per year for these East coast schools to go out west to play sports. The travel expenses are estimated at between 3.5 to 6 million per year. That wouldn’t be a leap of faith. It would be negligence from those east coast University presidents. This podcast seems to be more of a hate podcast against the AAC than a realistic discussion or informative podcast.

Memphis might come back after the PAC gets a media deal. Don’t count them out and the rest of the AAC schools yet

As a Houston fan I feel bad for Memphis …

A better league? Nobody cares about the pac 12😂😂😂😂

The AAC's exit fee is a carryover from the old Big East when it was a power conference (BCS).

If the pac-12 essentially locks the 5th playoff spot without hiccups, then they are on par with the ACC and big 12 in so far as only 1 playoff spot per conference. Which at that point, we either accept that the pac-12 is a power conference, or we can stop pretending the ACC or Big 12 are still power conferences

Memphis can’t get right no big 12 or acc lol I hope it don’t bite them in the butt in the long run..

The worst thing that could've happened is that you're getting sued for $100 million because of the incompetence of PAC-12.

The other thing I think Memphis is missing out on too holding out for the ACC or Big 12 invite is that every school in the PAC 12 is in the same situation. They’re all auditioning for the next round of invites and is the AAC or the PAC 12 the best place to audition? What if the Big 12 adds 2 from the pac 12 and the ACC adds 2. And Memphis gets passed again. When the PAC 12 comes back in 5 years to invite Memphis it won’t be as strong and the Merry go round may have stopped for even longer.

This is so hard to stomach. Memphis. You truly deserved better than to be permanently relegated to AAC dominance, but, not afforded a platform in a rebuilding nationwide football conference.

Any conference with a footprint on both sides of the country is going to get a superior media rights deal. I hope as the new PAC builds out it will be able to get some eastern block teams to see the futuristic vision they're aiming for.

If they don't get into the ACC in the next 5 years this is disgusting. If they do they'll be considered geniuses

Memphis did the right thing because it would have made as much sense as calford joining the ACC. You know the whole student-athlete thing?

It was just announced that the PAC 12 is suing the Mountain West Conference to get out of or reduce the ‘poaching penalty’ fees. Part of the reason why those 4 AAC schools declined the PAC 12 was because of that $25 million dollar exit fee. I suspect if the PAC 12 wins their suit, they’ll go back to Memphis, UTSA, and Tulane to make a better offer.

The Pac12 needs to add 4 more teams...UNLV, MEMPHIS, TULANE & USF, This would be a solid Conference for now, and then we could hope the ACC FALLS apart, If ACC falls apart the leftover schools may want to merge with the Pac 12 thats how you most likely get Stanford & Cal back in the new Pac12 to stay. The left over schools, BC, Syracuse, Pitt, VT, NC State, Wake Forest, GT, SMU. You would need to rename conferences to a all inclusive name, that has nothing to do with Pac12 or ACC. WEST Division SDSU BSU FSU CSU OSU WSU STAN CAL SMU UNLV EAST Division BC SYRACUSE PITT NC State GT Wake Forest VT, Add these 3 from AAC MEMPHIS TULANE USF THE CONFERENCE now has name recognition, and now can possibly become a Power 4 Conference! Need to start talking about this possibility!

A stupid and short-sighted move by MEM. We never have a university president that cares about sports. Now we have to question why this AD was hired, it wasn't for his common sense. If I had to guess he has big bonus for getting MEM in power five and was not willing to give up on a payday. I am also sure it was to protect Penny from real competition. No matter, the fans should boycott the games until he is fired or promoted out. The PAC however pull a crap move by only offering MEM 2.5 million on the buyout, so they share some of the blame.

Did Memphis get some sweetheart deal to stick around? If they're only getting an equal share of media $$$... Why stay? What's the motivation?

Just like playing poker…. You can lose all your chips anteing yourself out of the game or you can throw your chips in and start playing poker. You don’t win if you don’t play.

Boise State fan here who lives in the South and went to the BSU v Memphis game last year. Memphis fans were great to us and the city was a great place to go for the weekend. Lot's to see and do. REALLY wanted y'all to join. BTW, we deserved to lose that game. Boy did we make some stupid mistakes. We got our ship righted later last season though

Just because they said no now doesn’t mean anything. All the original pac12 teams said that and look at where we are now.

They didn't offer to pay the buyout, USF, and Tulane didn't take it either. You might as well have said the MW is the best league because that's what the Pac12 is now.

Come on Memphis! We all want you over here. It would be one badass basketball conference!

The only conclusion I can come to is that the leadership at Memphis did not believe that they could compete in the Pacific Division. The combination of travel and higher level competition could have been too much for them.

Might be waiting on a offer from a downgraded acc if fsu and Clemson

Im pretty sure these schools in the AAC will go down as the worst decision in sports you watch

Boise State fan here. Bummed about Memphis, but lets not act like this new pac with Memphis and tulane wouldnt be a stronger conference than the ACC in a lot of years. The ACC every year seems to have 1.5 good teams. Wouldve been a badass conference if you guys joined

Aztec fan here to say I was looking forward to having Memphis in the PAC. Dissappointed in their decision. Maybe they'll reconsider down the line?

Boise State fan here. I live in Indiana. I would gladly drive 9 hrs (I've driven farther) to watch a game in Memphis. Hopefully Memphis will reconsider because the future is brighter in the PAC.

im glad the pac 12 is staying regional. the aac is garbage

We still want Memphis in the PAC. Get over here!

Memphis being 32 is insane lmao

Uab is literally like 81 lmaoo

What a great show!

the PAC12 doesn't HAVE THE MEDIA MARKETs the AAC does you dolt!!

From mid to mid

Ya i agree, strongly. There are plenty of reasons to NOT join PAC12. Nobody can deny that. However, its this simple. By joining the PAC, your consolodsting the best of the G5 into one conference. Does this make you a "power conference"? Technically i dont know, but your ESSENTIALLY becoming the 5th power conference due to the CFB format. I lot of folks would call joining the PAC a short sighted desperation move. Its not. This decision is short - sighted. I cant get over peoples lack of vision. This isnt the old PAC. We know geogrpahy is silly in CFB. We know that its the ACC or Big XII in a perfect world. But you have the oppurtunity to essentially force your way into being the fifth power conference. WHAT WE COULD HAVE HAD •Boise St •Colorado St •Fresno St •Memphis •Oregon St •San Diego St •South Florida •Tulane •UNLV •Utah St •UTSA •Washington St Power or whatever, that league is getting the G5 playoff spot 9 / 10 years. Thats HUGE. ALSO COULD BE CONSIDERED IF GOING BEYOND 12 •Texas St (Texas state school) •North Texas (Texas!) •Temple (Philly) •East Carolina (One of thr best G5 fanbases and the Carolina market) •UConn (Brand) •Wyoming (Zero TV market, very solid fanbase and following) No Air Force. Mad respect for that program, but Service Academies have a low ceiling that continues to fall. Damn shame. Im assuming the doors 95% closed by i still have my fingers crossed.

Yes it is disapointing, it's a lose lose for both Memphis and the new PAC 12 since as of now they are just MW 2.0. I'm still holding on to hope that the PAC 12 gets to 8 with UNLV, gets a TV deal with an expansion clause like the Big 12 has, and adds Memphis with some combination of Tulane, UTSA or USF

Plus, you’re relegated to ESPN+. Further, the other previous AAC defectors are paying their $17MM over like 10 years. Was SOO bummed when they didn’t join. The P4 will not forget that they were 4th at best before the others left. You may be #1 now but it would be better being #1 over Boise and SDSU. 🙄

Definitely, Oregon State and Washington State plus the MWC teams that have agreed to join do not make the Pac-7 a major conference. It doesn't make the Pac-7 enough better than the AAC as a Group of 5 league much longer road trips for Memphis. The media package is going to be limited. But, there is a potentially better option. A new Metro Conference needs to return with both football and basketball. Go with large cities with media revenue potential. Memphis, Tulane, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, UAB, South Florida, and Florida Atlantic would be a better 8-team league than the AAC overall and not too far behind the Pac-7, with the media potential to get a nice contract and potentially pass the Pac-7. You could add some non-football playing members like Marquette, Creighton, Xavier, and Saint Louis, and add four more large metro areas.

The appeal of the new PAC is vastly overstated in this video... just relax. Memphis should try scheduling better OOC games. They’ll be fine.

The dollars just don't add up to make this move now. Maybe down the road. ALSO, IMO playing half your games in the Pacific Time Zone is devaluing in and of itself.

This doesn’t mean never though right? Maybe they wait out the current media deal. By the time it expires in 2031-2032, everything with the ACC, etc will have played out. The PAc12 will have been in existence a few years too

Beavs fan here, thought Memphis should of took the risk. Would of benefited all parties in the long run. Sad day. Keep pressuring your school!