Conference Realignment Wire

*Big realignment news drops out West* College football fans in the Eastern Time Zone:

Sen. Maria Cantwell says she “believes” that the ACC and Big 12 sent supportive letters for the bill because they fear their league will, eventually, go the way of the Pac-12 and be picked apart by the SEC and Big Ten. They “think that’s what is going to happen to them next.”

CFB fans on vacation in Brazil Week 0 because they couldn’t get a refund:

The Rate Bowl has changed its name back to the Cactus Bowl 🌵👀 It was previously known as the Cactus Bowl a decade ago, before undergoing several name changes with various sponsors. The bowl game’s conference tie-ins will feature a Big Ten team vs. a Big 12 team.

A new basketball rivalry takes the hardwood 🏀 The inaugural @AmericaEast and Metro Conference Basketball Challenge tips off this November. 🔗: bit.ly/4uJUkMU

News: The College Football Playoff announces 2026 kickoff times. Of note: TNT has first-round, quarterfinals and a semifinal this year. Reminder: The national title game is Jan. 25 because Jan. 1 falls late in the week, which pushes the semis back two weeks.

Imagine having to explain to someone seeing Wazzu vs Oregon St in Eugene that this is not a Pac 12 Tournament game, but an NCAA Regional of a Mountain West team vs an Independent team at a Big Ten stadium.

The Big 12 is considering moving to 10 conference games in football and 20 conference games in men's basketball in the future, says commissioner Brett Yormark. Those discussions will continue.

Big 12 football coaches unanimously voted in favor of a 24-team College Football Playoff format in Big 12 meetings today. Not a surprise, but unanimous like the Big Ten.

The MAAC (D1 non-Football) has rebranded as the Metro Conference, with a new name and logo.

No more acronyms. No more confusion. This is who we are. Welcome to The Metro Learn more about the full brand launch coming July 1. 🔗: bit.ly/4nV9H2b

As expected, SEC presidents and chancellors did not vote or take action on any items this week in Destin, including CFP expansion, future self-governance, etc. Conversations will continue.

Greg Sankey says the SEC's timeline on a decision on a 24-team CFP expansion will likely come in the fall.

This will begin in 2027, not next season.

Greg Sankey said that SEC ADs voted to play a conference game the second-to-last regular season football weekend, starting in 2027. Sankey calls it "the end of cupcake weekend."

The Civil War lives! Oregon, Oregon State add home/home series; 2028 & 2032 at Oregon State, 2029 & 2031 at Oregon. The teams will not play in 2030

Poinsettia Bowl finalizing deal to pit new Pac-12 champ, if it doesn't qualify for playoff, vs. Pac-12 legacy team in 2026, sources told @On3. Pac-12 legacy teams are former Pac-12 members Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah & Washington

The Pac-12 is expected to distribute $13.2 million per year to its full-share schools, according to a Washington State Board of Regents meeting. Schools like Boise State & Gonzaga, that were earning roughly $3.5m to $5.7m in recent years, are getting 2x-3x raises. 💰

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said ESPN does not want playoff to expand past 16 teams. “ESPN’s made it clear, they want it to stay at 12 or 14, but no more than 16,” Phillips said.

NEW: College GameDay is set to go to Baton Rouge for LSU vs. Clemson in Week 1, @PeteNakos reports📍 on3.com/news/espn-coll…