06/23/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/23/2025 09:02
Colorado State and the Pac-12 Conference announced an extended partnership with CBS Sports as the primary long-term media partner of the new Pac-12. CSU enters the league on July 1, 2026.
The new agreement establishes CBS Sports as the primary long-term media partner for the new Pac-12 through the 2030-31 season, with additional partners to be announced at a later date. As part of the extended partnership, football and men's basketball games for the new Pac-12 will air throughout the season on The CBS Television Network (and streaming on Paramount+) as well as CBS Sports Network.
"This first phase of the Pac-12 media rights partnership with CBS Sports is a tremendous step forward for our athletic department. It elevates our student-athletes' visibility, showcases our fans' passion, and reflects the growing impact of our programs on a national stage," Colorado State Director of Athletics said. "This partnership brings a tremendous opportunity, including excellent national exposure for Colorado State University. Working alongside Commissioner Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 staff, and our partners at Octagon has been a great process as we continue to finalize the conference's overall media rights partnerships."
Colorado State prepares to enter the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026 following an excellent 2024-25 season.
CSU was just one of 14 programs in the nation to participate in the women's volleyball and men's basketball NCAA Tournament, along with qualifying for a bowl game. The Rams were the only group of five school to achieve this feat.
The department performed well both in competition and in the classroom. CSU won five conference titles, made three postseason appearances and had nine All-Americans, including NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Shot Put National Champion Mya Lesnar. In the classroom, Colorado State student-athletes outperformed the general population for the 11 th consecutive semester and carried a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for the 23 rd straight semester.
CSU announced its historic move to the Pac-12 on September 12, 2024 joining current members Washington State and Oregon State and incoming members Boise State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Fresno State. The move bolstered Colorado State, which was already one of the preeminent academic institutions as a Tier 1 research campus and land grant university of the state.
Highlights of the extended partnership between CBS Sports and the new Pac-12 Include:
"As the new Pac-12's primary media partner, CBS Sports' top-tier coverage will showcase the best of the conference's football and men's basketball games annually across our platforms, including the championship game for both sports," said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. "Extending this partnership strengthens our multiplatform college football and basketball schedule and, at a pivotal moment for the new Pac-12, allows up to collaborate, grow the conference and expand its reach."
New Pac-12's Transformational Process
With today's announcement, the new Pac-12 and Octagon continue the league's transformational process and to build for its future with additional media partnerships. While CBS Sports has been announced as an anchor and the first of what will include multiple media partners long term for the league, further media rights partnerships for the new Pac-12 will be announced following finalized agreements. The extended partnership with CBS Sports is inclusive of one additional football-playing, all-sports member of the new Pac-12 Conference.
All current and future members of the new Pac-12 participated in the decision to extend the partnership long term with CBS Sports.
New Pac-12: Looking Ahead
Last fall, the Pac-12 along with Oregon State, Washington State and six leading universities and premier athletics departments including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State, launched plans to create a new Pac-12 Conference. Though the new Pac-12 will not officially begin until the 2026-27 season, the 2024-25 campaign has offered a glimpse into the on-going and overall strength of the new league from a competitive and brand perspective, with highlights over the past few seasons including: