All things being equal, the Big12 and PAC10 had equal value in TV contracts if BYU ISN'T in the equation. Both conferences sit at ~$28M per school. Today the Big12 sits at ~$32M per school with BYU. The PAC12 can't find anyone available to match the Big12.

BYU geographically sat in the middle of the two conferences and was available for the taking for a long time. Both conferences drug their feet before the Big12 got smart.

I for one enjoy watching the PAC10 run around the house looking for more money that just isn't there. BYU was the one school that would tip the balance of power to the Big12 or PAC10.