Football paid attendance averaged 24,971 per game in 2022. That number continues to tick up for SMU, but it was lower than all but two Power 5 schools. The Mustangs also don’t move the needle in television ratings, typically a key factor in realignment. But without many needle-movers left in the Group of 5, the Pac-12 may simply need more schools for the sake of inventory in the new TV deal, and SMU would provide a new frontier in Texas. On3 reported that Kliavkoff is expected to attend SMU’s Wednesday men’s basketball game against Temple. A source told The Athletic that SMU football players will likely be in attendance too.