The Pac-12 and Mountain West have begun their announced mediation, seeking a resolution to multiple lawsuits brought on by the Pac-12 and some of its member schools in an attempt to lower what they feel is an extortionate amount of fees — nearly $150 million — for poaching five teams from the Mountain West in an attempt to rebuild their own conference. It could be an incredibly lengthy process or a short one depending on whether compromises can be found. But while it was the Mountain West that initiated the mediation, indicating it could be a little more eager to get all of this legal nonsense over with, the Pac-12 has plenty riding on this mediation. Along with that, these next few weeks are set to determine the long term fate of the 110-year old conference. Ultimately, the goal for the Pac-12 is clear: become the preeminent non-Power 4 conference. They want to stand above both the Mountain West and AAC which have fought over the title of “best of the rest” for years. Bringing in the undisputed top football teams in the Mountain West over the last 10 years, along with the majority of basketball powers, was a good