“It’s a risk,” said one MWC administrator. “You are gambling.”

It goes beyond TV money to TV visibility. The AAC is carried nationally in a long-term deal with ESPN. Who will the Pac-12 strike a deal with? FOX? ESPN? A streamer such as Amazon or Apple? What about The CW or TNT? These are questions worth asking if entering a league without a secured television rights package.

Another question: Does this get you closer to a power conference?