ASU President's Tenacious Fight for the Pac-12

Arizona State University (ASU) is officially leaving the Pac-12 conference and joining the Big 12, despite efforts by university president Michael Crow to keep the Pac-12 intact. Crow expressed a commitment to preserving the tradition and regional environment of the Pac-12, but acknowledged the influence of media forces and the instability in the media market. ASU considered a media rights deal from Apple but ultimately prioritized being in a viable conference to connect with more people. The decision to move to the Big 12 was made with the understanding that ASU and the University of Arizona would not split up. ASU's head coach, Kenny Dillingham, sees the move as an opportunity to expand recruiting efforts in the South, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma.