The Big Ten continues exploring the idea of adding more teams to the conference. According to ESPN’s college football senior writer, Pete Thamel, school presidents have authorized commissioner Tony Petitti to bring back more information on Oregon and Washington.
Those two schools have long been linked as additions to the Big Ten after the conference added USC and UCLA from the Pac-12 conference starting in 2024.
Expansion for college athletics has long been a hot-button topic as the benefits of increased television revenue have trumped the regional rivalries college sports have created.
Sources: The Big Ten’s presidents met early Thursday morning and authorized Commissioner Tony Petitti to explore expansion and bring them back more information on Oregon and Washington as potential Big Ten members. No offers have been made,
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 3, 2023
There’s no doubt adding Oregon and Washington would benefit the conference financially in the long run. Those two schools dominate their regional market and bring eyes from the metro areas of Portland and Seattle.
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That’s one of the reasons why these schools have been continually linked to the Big Ten and why it’s not shocking the school presidents are asking commissioner Petitti to do due diligence on these universities.
Thamel reports that no offers have been made and a deal to bring them in is uncertain.
One of the major road blocks is from newcomer USC.
“USC doesn’t have a vote, but they’ve been vocal in the past about not wanting other West Coast Big Ten teams,” writes Thamel.
The Pac-12 is not in good standing currently as a conference. With the worst television deal out of the Power 5 conferences, their stalwarts USC and UCLA decided to flee for greener pastures. Colorado was the next school that decided to leave, as they will head back to the Big 12 in 2024.
And a deal is uncertain. There’s a political thicket with the potential additions because the moves don’t offer the current Big Ten schools any additional money. USC doesn’t have a vote, but they’ve been vocal in the past about not wanting other West Coast Big Ten teams.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 3, 2023
Because of that, Oregon and Washington will have to decide if they want to stay on what seemingly is a sinking ship or if they’ll follow suit with others and leave.
The Big Ten will have to weigh if the benefits of adding these two universities for all athletic functions is worth potentially angering their new member USC who could be a power player in the conference.
Like anything related to conference realignment, this will continue to be a story to follow and will be updated with any new information that comes out.
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