THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Gonzaga gets its deal, finally

So.

Zags to the Pac-12.

Just a great deal for a rebuilding conference in this part of the country.

For the new kids, it’s just plain Yahtzee.

Jon Wilner, the syndicated columnist who has covered the Pac-12 footprint and those schools within it almost forever (sorry, Jon), just plain gushed about the rewards of bagging Gonzaga.

Here’s Wilner, writing one day BEFORE the announcement:

“Whether the next move comes in 24 hours or 24 days, the conference needs a win. And there’s only one school available that can offer a blowout victory.

“From here, it’s clear: Go get Gonzaga.

“Forget football for the moment.

“Forget the need for an eighth full-time member to meet NCAA requirements.

“Forget the missed opportunities and the lost narrative and the extended period of uncertainty.

“Go get Gonzaga.”

There are a lot of pieces to this, but if you accept that the new Pac-12 will be building a brand that values basketball, then TV is critical.

Against Power Five opponents over a five-season span (2018-23), the Zags averaged 900,000 viewers, according to data provided by a media industry source.

By comparison, the Pac-12 average was closer to 200,000 viewers.

That’s a huge difference.

It will translate to a lot of cash when the conference takes its media rights to market.

MY BOSS asked a good question about Tuesday’s joint announcement by Gonzaga and the Pac-12.

“Why now?” hummed always-curious sports editor Mark Nelke.

“The Zags have had chances to move into the Mountain West before, and turned down this same group of schools.

“What makes it worthwhile now?”

The first thing that comes to mind about the timing here is that Gonzaga is, to a certain degree, calling the shots instead of asking for an invitation.

The Pac-12 wants the Zags, and negotiations over revenue shares will tilt toward Spokane more than they have in any previous negotiation — with ANY conference.

Bear in mind, we don’t know how long discussions have been going on.

When the first four Mountain West schools announced that they were bolting for the Pac-12, it was a bombshell.

Believe me, it hard to keep a secret anywhere in academia, but those programs did it.

Logical, then, that Gonzaga was negotiating for some time — and putting the conference’s feet to the fire in terms of getting the best possible arrangement.

The Zags had to wind up with a pretty fat deal.

How much is it worth?

Everyone and his dog has speculated on the money, which obviously will be calculated differently for Gonzaga than for the schools that play football.

One of these days, we’ll take a long look at possible paydays, and take a good look at revenue and expenses for all the Pac-12 schools.

IT MAY sound a bit callous, but another reason the seven new members of the Pac-12 appeal more now to Gonzaga is that, well, it’s JUST those seven.

The conference was willing to take UNLV and possibly Air Force — because looking down the road, they’ll add something to the group.

There are rumors that UNLV’s agreement to stay in the Mountain West might be shaky now that Gonzaga has joined.

Anyway, you get the point here.

Several MWC universities seemed like problem partners to the Zags — programs that don’t offer much, but each take a full share of the pie when revenue is divided.

It’s a shame, but Wyoming, Nevada, San Jose State, New Mexico and Hawaii simply can’t carry their weight in an improved, ambitious conference.

To put it a little more rudely: Gonzaga is looking at a new deal with the bottom of the Mountain West lopped off, and Oregon State and Wazzu added near the top.

The Mountain West now needs two more schools to get back to eight full members following the defections (Hawaii only plays football and doesn’t count).

The conference landed UTEP to fill one of those two slots, but Texas State apparently has turned down a similar offer and decided to remain in the Sun Belt.

The Pac-12 also needs another full member by July 2026 to satisfy NCAA requirements — since Gonzaga doesn’t have football.

The Zags will compete is all other sports, however, which increased the appeal of the Pac-12.

At the end of the day, the Zags are getting what they want — increased revenue and membership in a conference which will be a genuinely exciting hoops conference.

Seven of the eight future members have made it into the men’s NCAA tournament in the past four years, and they’ve combined for 18 appearances.

Gonzaga and San Diego State each have played in the national title game since 2021.

The Zags’ move honestly seems like a win-win.

Now to find another member.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”