Interesting story here from Bud Withers of the Seattle Times: In order to get USC and UCLA on board with equal revenue sharing in the future, they are going to get a significant payout out until the increased revenue flow from a new TV contract clicks in.

Reports Withers:

Sources familiar with the Pac-10's recent discussions over the expansion issues say the presidents will vote on a proposed $2 million-per-year payout apiece for USC and UCLA above the other 10 members of the new Pac-12 until the year that combined broadcast revenues reach a certain threshold. Then the 12 members would share equally.

In other words, the L.A. schools wants some revenue guarantees in advance of the new TV contract, which will start before the 2012 season. That's not unreasonable. And it appears that commissioner Larry Scott is confident all issues -- revenue sharing, division alignments, championship game location, etc. -- will be resolved quickly on Thursday when the Pac-12 presidents meet, considering a news conference has been scheduled for Thursday at 11:30 a.m., which you can watch live here.

It's been widely reported that the Pac-12 will be divided into North and South divisions with the USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado in the South and California, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State in the North.

It's also likely Bay Area schools, which wanted to be in the South division, will get guaranteed annual games with the L.A. schools. The popular perception is not having an annual game in Southern California will hurt the Northwest schools' recruiting.

Things work out great for new members Colorado and Utah, which will gain considerable recruiting momentum with their placement in the South division.

So, in terms of sacrificing for the "greater good," it's fair to say the Northwest schools are bearing most of the burden, though they will get a guaranteed game in California -- if only Northern California -- every year.

It will be interesting to see when the final plan is announced if the NW schools gain any additional concessions. Keep in mind that Oregon and Washington both can swing a pretty big axe when we're talking football.