FloSports and the Pac-12 Conference have entered into a historic media partnership that will bring all Pac-12 wrestling events to FloWrestling beginning with the 2026-27 season. This agreement establishes FloWrestling as the exclusive home for all Pac-12 wrestling for the next several seasons. The first events under this new arrangement are scheduled to take place on Sunday, Nov. 1. This move provides a framework for future media agreements in the college space, signaling a shift toward specialized digital platforms for niche sports.
The partnership will feature all nine Pac-12 wrestling programs on FloWrestling for home meets. The participating schools include Air Force, Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Little Rock, Northern Colorado, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, Oregon State, and South Dakota State. These programs have a rich history of wrestling success, boasting multiple NCAA Champions and dozens of All Americans. The conference added five new teams this year, which has strengthened its position as a powerful player on the national stage.
Shane Benitz, the General Manager of FloWrestling, stated that the Pac-12 is a powerhouse and that this package is unlike any other offering in college wrestling. He emphasized that creating a platform like FloWrestling is the only way to sustain and grow the sport. The platform aims to elevate events, provide year-long storytelling, and invest in the success of the athletes. Benitz noted that the partnership with the Pac-12 will serve as a model for the future of college wrestling media.
Dustin Rocke, the Pac-12 senior vice president of multimedia, highlighted the dedication and passion of wrestling fans. He expressed excitement about bringing home-meet action and championship events back to Flo subscribers. The partnership also aims to introduce new fanbases to the league. Rocke described the upcoming season as a Pac-12 season like no other, reflecting the conference's commitment to expanding its reach through digital media partnerships.
The agreement is part of a broader investment by FloSports in the sport's infrastructure, technology, and development. This follows recent commitments, including a $1 million annual commitment to make Trackwrestling event management software available at no cost to partner state associations and their member schools. This software powers youth events across the country and will be free for these groups beginning with the 2027-28 season. This initiative aims to support the grassroots level of the sport.
FloSports has contributed more than $3 million to the National Wrestling Coaches Association since 2021. These contributions have helped establish 35 to 50 new men's and women's college wrestling programs each year. The funds also support more than 100 annual scholarships to the Collegiate Leadership Academy. Additionally, the money provides coaching development workshops for both scholastic and collegiate coaches, ensuring a pipeline of talent and leadership for the sport.
FloSports is recognized as a leading digital platform for underserved sports, combining live and on-demand streaming with original programming and data. The company streams more than 55,000 live events annually across various sports, including motorsports, wrestling, hockey, and track and field. It holds more than 600 rights agreements with organizations such as NASCAR, USA Wrestling, and the American Hockey League. This extensive portfolio allows Flo to connect passionate fans with sports they love while providing tools for athletes and organizers.
The Pac-12 Conference is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders by championing excellence in academics, athletics, and student-athlete well-being. The league is composed of nine leading U.S. universities, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State. This partnership underscores the conference's strategy to leverage digital media to enhance visibility and support for its athletic programs.
Why it matters
This partnership signals a major shift in how niche college sports are monetized and distributed. By securing exclusive rights, FloSports is betting on the growing demand for specialized content. For the Pac-12, this deal provides a stable media home and financial support for wrestling programs, which are often underfunded. The investment in youth infrastructure also suggests a long-term strategy to grow the sport's base, potentially leading to more competitive collegiate teams in the future.
Builder angle
Media rights holders and sports tech companies should note the trend toward exclusive, multi-year deals for niche sports. The integration of free software for youth events demonstrates a holistic approach to ecosystem building. This model could be replicated in other underserved sports, where platforms invest in grassroots infrastructure to secure long-term rights and audience growth.
What to watch next
Monitor the viewership numbers for the first Pac-12 events on Nov. 1. Also, keep an eye on the rollout of the free Trackwrestling software for state associations in the 2027-28 season. The impact of the NWCA contributions on the number of new college programs established in the coming years will also be a key metric to watch.
Sources
- pac-12.com Source checked 2026-10-28
- www.flowrestling.org Source checked 2026-10-28