X

CFB

    Oregon State, Washington State Ruled as Sole Members of Pac-12 Board amid Realignment

    Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IINovember 15, 2023

    CORVALLIS, OREGON - SEPTEMBER 16: An overhead interior view of Reser Stadium and the Pac 12 logo during the first half of game between the Oregon State Beavers and the San Diego State Aztecs at Reser Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
    Tom Hauck/Getty Images

    Whitman County (Washington) Superior Court Judge Gary Libey has granted Washington State and Oregon State's request for a preliminary injunction, meaning that the two schools will be the Pac-12's lone governing and voting members.

    Brenna Greene @BrennaGreene_

    Here's the judge's full ruling in favor of Oregon State and WSU against UW and the Pac-12.<br><br>"I grew up where conduct spoke louder than words."<br><br>Stay for the end to see OSU AD Scott Barnes fist bumping the people in the row with him. <a href="https://t.co/2O5uXjCRfB">pic.twitter.com/2O5uXjCRfB</a>

    The decision was in response to WSU and OSU's lawsuit against the Pac-12 and the departing 10 schools.

    "I grew up where conduct spoke louder than words," Libey said, per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. "Conduct is what counts and words don't so much. What you do and how you do it is what counts in life."

    As noted by Bryan Fischer of Fox Sports, the Pac-12 board can invite the other 10 members to future board meetings. They are all allowed to take in meetings and make suggestions. However, WSU and OSU are the only schools with voting powers.

    As Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic noted, the judge stated that the departing schools must still be "treated in a fair and open manner" and can't be harmed. A motion to dismiss was denied.

    Per Brandon Marcello of 247Sports, the other 10 Pac-12 schools are "certain to appeal."

    Greg Woods of the Spokesman-Review provided more information on the legal front, noting Washington's plan to appeal.

    Oregon State, Washington State Ruled as Sole Members of Pac-12 Board amid Realignment
    Video Play Button
    ✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon
    Greg Woods @GregWWoods

    Judge Gary Libey makes this ruling with one caveat: The temporary restraining order will remain through the end of the week, that way UW can appeal before the preliminary injunction goes back into effect.

    WSU and OSU will be the only remaining members of the conference after the other 10 schools depart following after the 2023-24 athletics year. Cal and Stanford are headed to the ACC, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado are going to the Big 12 and USC and UCLA will join the Big Ten alongside Washington and Oregon.