Sacramento State to Pac-12 move gains momentum as conference realignment heats up with Teresa Gould's pursuit of new schools

With the recent conference realignment moves in college sports, Sacramento State to Pac-12 has continued to gather pace. After the Utah State Aggies' move, the rejuvenated Pac-12 is still one member short of the required eight-member minimum to be considered an FBS conference.

Local leaders in the Sacramento community started conducting feasibility studies into how a potential Sacramento State to Pac-12 move would be made possible, including a financial injection and upgrading existing facilities to meet the standards of elite institutions.

On Thursday, the Hornets revealed plans to build a world-class, 25,000-seater stadium in an effort to be considered for a bump up to the FBS in a conference realignment move to the Pac-12.

During the announcement of the new stadium plans, Sac State President Luke Wood said:

"Today marks a significant milestone for Sacramento State. The stadium is a commitment to our belief that Sacramento has the spirit and passion to turn this city into a college football town."

Sacramento State to Pac-12 begins with stadium upgrade

The Sacramento State to Pac-12 move is being pushed by alumni Eric Guerra, who is also a councilman. During an interview with CBS Sports, Guerra highlighted the incredible opportunity a Sacramento State to Pac-12 move would provide for student-athletes and the area around the campus.

"This opportunity, I think, is one in a lifetime for the university because the Pac-12 is trying to stay in the West Coast," Guerra said. "But this is different because I see this as an opportunity to grow our institutions and creating more opportunities for other kids."

The new Hornets stadium would cost up to $300 million, according to the institution, and would be designed by Populous, the architectural firm behind building iconic venues like the Yankee Stadium.

The revitalized Pac-12 has taken a couple of body blows in the past few days after the AAC and Mountain West Conference schools on its target list reaffirmed their commitments to their conferences.

Commissioner Teresa Gould has now been forced to dig deeper into the Group of Five to find schools willing to join her upcoming conference. The Sacramento State to Pac-12 move has been aided by the snubs from the AAC and MWC schools.

The visibility that the Hornets would get from a Pac-12 move alongside annual television revenues of between $8-10 million would be a big boost for the program and the surrounding Sacramento region.