In a surprising twist to conference realignment, Oregon State University and Washington State University are poised to become affiliate members of the West Coast Conference (WCC) for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, sources have confirmed. While the agreement does not include football and baseball, it will expand the WCC to 11 teams in men's and women's basketball, enhancing the conference's appeal and scheduling power.

The decision is expected to be ratified by league presidents and athletic directors during a vote scheduled for Thursday morning. If approved, Oregon State and Washington State will compete in regular-season and postseason WCC games, making them eligible for automatic-qualifier status for NCAA championship events, particularly the NCAA Tournament.

"They will be eligible for AQ status and will play under the WCC flag," revealed an insider. "Their games will count in the standings."

For basketball, this affiliation means an increase in the number of league games, expanding the current 16-game schedule to 18 or 20, according to sources. The WCC Tournament format is also set to undergo some changes. However, the financial details surrounding the NCAA Tournament units and the average monetary value for a league's tournament success have not been disclosed, given the unique arrangement of the league due to Gonzaga's influence.

This unprecedented move by Oregon State and Washington State marks a significant shift in college sports history, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the Pac-12 conference. It was quietly negotiated by WCC Commissioner Stu Jackson, who possesses extensive basketball experience and was formerly associated with the Big East.

In recent months, Oregon State and Washington State have been embroiled in a legal battle with the other 10 Pac-12 members over revenue distribution from the expiring TV deal, which expires on July 1, 2024. The departure of these 10 members to more lucrative arrangements in the Big Ten and Big 12 left the two schools in a challenging position. A Washington judge subsequently sided with Oregon State and Washington State, leading to scheduling assistance from the Mountain West and WCC as they navigate this unprecedented college sports conundrum.

Looking ahead, the future beyond the spring of 2026 remains uncertain for Oregon State and Washington State. However, sources suggest that the Mountain West has expressed interest in a long-term partnership with both schools once the legal and financial aspects are resolved. However, in football for the 2024 season, the teams will not be eligible for the Mountain West Championship game and will participate as independents in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.

In baseball, Oregon State intends to play as an independent, and Washington State will follow suit, according to sources. This short-term basketball arrangement serves as a compensation for the WCC, which lost Brigham Young University (BYU) to the Big 12. The conference has a storied history, with five Final Four appearances and two national championships, both won by San Francisco in the 1950s. Gonzaga has also made two recent appearances in the title game (2017, 2021). Over the past 11 NCAA Tournaments, the WCC has secured an average of 2.0 March Madness bids.

As the WCC prepares for this upgrade, the big question remains: will it emerge stronger in the latter half of the 2020s, or is this just a temporary boost? Amidst ongoing discussions about Gonzaga potentially joining the Big 12, the WCC is actively pursuing further expansion, with or without Oregon State, Washington State, and Gonzaga in the long run, according to insiders.