* The following commentary appeared recently in the Hotline newsletter and has been republished (and updated) here for readers who missed the original …

The introductory section to the newsletter, a prime piece of Hotline real estate, is typically reserved for commentary on important issues or trends.

That’s the case this morning, only the source isn’t original Hotline commentary. It’s a column by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

Well, maybe not a column so much as a hammer.

Dodd, who has the reach afforded by a national website — not to mention 95,000 Twitter followers — delivered a devastating assessment of the Pac-12’s current state of affairs.

In a column titled ‘Cracks are forming in the Pac-12: Will they be patched before it’s too late?,’ Dodd summarizes the conference’s well-documented postseason flops in football and men’s basketball and highlights the growing revenue gap between the Pac-12 and the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12.

And he wonders:

“Is it time to start calling it the Power Four? … If this was a country club, the Pac-12 would be in danger of losing its membership.”

The mere suggestion, from an authoritative voice in college sports, is a significant PR hit for the conference. Whether you agree or not, Dodd’s position is rooted in facts or a reasonable interpretation of events.

Some might argue that one postseason cycle isn’t enough evidence to conclude the Pac-12 has fallen behind. But even if that’s the case, Dodd’s larger point is valid:

The conference is clearly at a precarious moment entering the 2018-19 season.

The financial picture is unlikely to change significantly, but the Pac-12 desperately needs a strong showing in the NCAAs tournament and a College Football Playoff contender.

(It must, at the very least, be in the playoff conversation throughout November. In 2017, the Pac-12 was an afterthought during the stretch run.)

However, the comments in Dodd’s column that resonated loudest on the Hotline did not come from Dodd himself. They came from one of the Pac-12’s own, Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson, who said of the financial landscape:

“The gap between us and the other [leagues] continues to grow. We’ll be competitively disadvantaged even moreso. … That’s real money in terms of being able to compete, support facilities, support coaches and support programs.”

Anderson added: ”No one is satisfied with the [revenue] production of the Pac-12 Network.”

Those are telling remarks, because of both their accuracy and their source:

To the best of my knowledge, they represent Anderson’s first public break from his staunch public support of the conference and the networks. Related Articles How much could legalized wagering be worth to the Pac-12? The answer starts with ‘b’ and ends with ‘illions’

Drafting a Pac-12 All-Century Team with the duo behind ‘Podcast of Champions’ (and with a twist)

Pac-12 finances for FY17: Record revenue, stalled networks income, undisclosed expenses and unanswered questions

Analyzing the 2018 schedules: Herm Edwards’ rude welcome, UCLA’s nasty November and Washington’s brutal assignment

To this point, Anderson seemingly had taken his cue from Arizona State president Michael Crow, who stands as commissioner Larry Scott’s greatest advocate within the conference’s CEO group.

(In an interview with the Hotline last summer, Crow praised the networks on multiple fronts.)

Anderson, however, is hardly alone. He joins the growing list of athletic directors and presidents who have expressed some level of dissatisfaction with the state of affairs, either on the conference or networks side.

The group includes Washington State president Kirk Schulz, Cal chancellor Carol Christ, USC athletic director Lynn Swann and Utah athletic director Chris Hill — and that’s just in the past 12-15 months.

The Hotline isn’t suggesting Scott’s job is in jeopardy — he recently received a contract extension through 2022 — but documenting the public record is important.

Public perception is important, too, and in that regard, the conference took another hit this week.

Why we need your support: Like so many other providers of local journalism across the country, the Hotline’s parent website, mercurynews.com, recently moved to a subscription model. A few Hotline stories will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. The good news for Hotline faithful: I’ve secured a discount: 12 cents per day for 12 months. Click here to subscribe. And thanks for your loyalty. Get Pac-12 Conference news in your inbox with the Pac-12 Hotline newsletter Sign Up

*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com

*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline

*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.