Pac-12 looking to play in Asia, but football games not likely

SAN DIEGO -- Most of the second day of Pac-12 summer meetings was filled with mundane agenda items, but one thing that caught the attention of most of the administrators in attendance was the conference's expanding desire to play games in Asia, notably China.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm on that," commissioner Larry Scott said. "I updated them on UCLA men's basketball's trip to China and a plan to host the Chinese women's volleyball team and plans to telecast it. I laid out a road map going forward for what we think this year is going to lead to. These groups get very excited about the opportunities for student-athletes."

The league has always prided itself on its performance in the Olympic sports and ties to Asia given their location on the West Coast. While more trips from various teams are in the cards going forward (thanks in large part to the forthcoming Pac-12 Network), don't expect any football games to be played overseas in the coming years.

"Football is going to be the toughest and is maybe not a high priority because it is not played [over there]," said Scott. "We have a lot more immediate focus on sports like basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, track and field, gymnastics -- all sports where they excel at too. Football really isn't a high priority and if we were to play a game internationally, I'm not sure China would be the first, most logical place. There are other places where it's much more indigenous."

As much fun as Stanford and Oregon in Tokyo or Beijing might be, don't get your hopes up for it.