Tag: Big Ten Expansion

New report suggests Big Ten is close to adding Oregon, Washington

It appears Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten is close to happening

It appears Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten is close to happening.

According to Brett McMurphy of the Action Network, the Big Ten is “just trying to figure out financials at this point” in their attempt to add Oregon and Washington as the 17th and 18th members of the conference. The exact quote from McMurphy’s Big Ten source is below:

It’s unclear how soon Oregon and Washington would join the Big Ten but it seems like things are moving fast enough where it could be next year with the arrivals of USC and UCLA.

Stay tuned with Spartans Wire for the latest updates on the potential Big Ten expansion that could occur in the coming days or weeks.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti authorized to pursue Big Ten expansion

Hang tight while more swirls. #GoBucks

Expansion. No, we’re not talking about the cosmos, but college football. Whether you like it or not, the way things are today, even with the shell games that have already taken place, we have most likely not seen the end of things.

Over the last couple of years, teams like Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and UCLA have all announced plans to move conferences and put a glitch in the Matrix of what we thought was the college football world. The Pac-12, in particular, has taken on the chin hard with the L.A. teams and Colorado announcing a decision to move, so things aren’t all about hang loose on the West Coast any longer.

Because of all the news and uncertainty, and despite the Big Ten feeling rather content with the addition of the two California teams, teams are more than likely going to be looking — and needing — a new conference.

So, instead of staying pat, the Big Ten has authorized new commissioner, Tony Petitti, to explore further expansion from next year’s model of 16 teams, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Further reports indicate the two teams the Big Ten is most interested in are the same two teams it was already rumored to be interested in, Oregon and Washington. However, two other teams have been added to that mix, according to reports, are Cal and Stanford. However, it’s most likely that the Ducks and Huskies will be the two big prizes in this very awkward sweepstakes.

Of course, things could change — and in a hurry — they almost always do. And you can bet that there is urgency to all of this. It’s a game of conference realignment musical chairs and the Big Ten would be wise to allow those institutions that are valuable to be a part of the conference.

Some reports say that the future of the Pac-12 will all be hammered out (at least as the current situation is) over the next few days.

All we can say now is stay tuned and buckle up. As more news becomes available, we’ll bring it to you as will every other sports media outlet in the world.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.

Realignment: What will happen with Oregon?

What will happen to Oregon in the coming days/weeks/months? @ZacharyCNeel and @Donald_Smalley of @Ducks_Wire weigh in.

The Pac-12 could soon die. Realigment is going to dominate our lives for the next 72 hours if not the next few weeks before we finally get back to watching actual college football on television.

The staffs at Trojans Wire and Ducks Wire discussed realignment scenarios. We start with Oregon and what will happen to the Ducks.

Don Smalley, Ducks Wire: I never believed it before now, but I think with the lack of a decent media deal, Oregon has no choice but to jump ship to the Big Ten.

Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire: The Big Ten doesn’t necessarily want Oregon or Washington, but if the Pac-12 dies, will the Big Ten have a choice? Superconferences will emerge, and Oregon will be in the Big Ten.

Zachary Neel, Ducks Wire: The end result in my mind has always been Oregon following USC to the Big Ten. Whether that happens now or in six years, I truly believe that is the final result. Let’s get it over with now and stop talking about it.

Matt Wadleigh, Trojans and Buffaloes Wire: With all of the smoke going on around the country, it would be stunning not to see Oregon join the Big Ten. It makes sense for all sides, especially with the Pac-12 getting worse by the day.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=696092335]

Don’t look now, but Florida State isn’t happy in the ACC

Florida State leaders made it known they aren’t happy with the ACC. Should the Big Ten be keeping an eye on the Noles?

Not that the Big Ten has been linked to having any motives to plant the conference flag in the southeast, but it may be worth watching the continuing developments in the ACC. Florida State has made it clear it is not happy in the ACC, as has been suspected for many years during the last decade-plus of conference realignment. And if ever there was a time for Florida State to make a move elsewhere, now would likely be the time.

But can we really anticipate future conference matchups between Penn State and Florida State? In short, you never know! But no, probably not.

What we know is Florida State’s leadership views the university being in what it refers to as an “existential crisis” as the school sees itself and the rest of the ACC membership in danger of falling farther behind the Big Ten and SEC in conference revenue shares.

To put it simply, Florida State would prefer to remain in the ACC, but it is hoping the conference can improve its revenue sharing and revenue plan moving forward to help keep the school and others in the ACC on par with the perceived competition in the Big Ten and SEC.

Rumors of Florida State’s desire to leave the ACC have gone on for years, but the most recent meeting of the board of trustees shed some more light on the potential to pack up and leave than ever seen before. The problem is Florida State has no exit strategy in place and is approaching a deadline to inform the ACC of any intent to leave.

So, what if Florida State does say they are ready to leave the ACC? Would the Big Ten be an option?

Florida State would likely love nothing more than to be in the SEC, but we certainly should not rule out the mere possibility of the Seminoles being an actual candidate for the Big Ten. Geography means nothing, and the Big Ten already has a tent pole on the east coast, a firm grip on the Midwest, and is expanding to the west coast with at least two new members beginning in 2024. Adding a school in the state of Florida may seem weird, but the Big Ten is about to call Los Angeles home, so how weird is it, really?

If the Big Ten was to add Florida State, hypothetically speaking, shouldn’t someone else come with them? The odds are, yes. But who? Feel free to throw around the North Carolina name if you wish. Some Penn State fans probably wouldn’t be opposed to Pittsburgh or Syracuse, and others probably threw up a little bit in their mouths just thinking about it.

Of course, Notre Dame and Florida State would be a nice pairing, but now we may just be a little too greedy. But then again, isn’t greed what drives conference realignment from all angles?

We probably shouldn’t count on seeing Florida State replacing its ACC flag with a Big Ten one in the coming years, but if I have learned nothing from years of covering and observing conference realignment it is that nothing should ever be considered completely off the table for discussion.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=10]

Big 18 coming? Big Ten reportedly exploring more expansion involving Pac-12 members

Could the Big Ten soon have 20 members? The discussions about the next potential moves are reportedly underway.

With the Pac-12 seemingly on the brink of a catastrophic implosion, the Big Ten could once again be ready to pounce on the right opportunity. Already with USC and UCLA ready to join the Big Ten in 2024, the Big Ten has reportedly started the exploration of potential expansion moves involving up to four additional Pac-12 schools.

According to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, a group of Big Ten presidents have started the exploratory discussions on expansion with a focus on the possibility of adding Oregon and Washington as a primary move, and Cal and Stanford as a secondary move on top of that.  Wetzel does note these discussions are in the early stages and no moves are considered imminent, although things can move rather quickly when it comes to realignment changes, and a lot can happen behind closed doors when nobody is looking.

The Big Ten may be wise to hold off for the moment until seeing where the dust is about to settle with the current Pac-12 membership. Colorado recently announced it will be heading back to the Big 12 in 2024, the same year USC and UCLA join the Big Ten. That will leave the Pac-12 with just nine members. The focus now appears to be on Arizona and Arizona State’s future with Big 12 rumors as hot as they have been. A loss of Arizona or both Arizona schools would be a potential death blow to the Pac-12 once and for all, leaving schools like Oregon, Washington, Cal, and Stanford up for grabs.

[lawrence-related id=34606]

The Pac-12 is also still attempting to secure a media rights package that will keep its remaining members, and potential future members, satisfied with the conference’s long-term vision and security. But it may be difficult selling everyone on the benefits of a package relying so heavily on Apple TV+ streaming subscriptions resulting in $20 million per school at a time when the Big Ten and SEC schools are each pulling in $50 million per year on their respective media rights packages.

If you are Oregon or Washignton and you have to decide between a questionable $20 million media rights deal or a rock solid package like the Big Ten’s, it should be an easy decision.

The move to add USC and UCLA always felt a bit incomplete from the Big Ten’s perspective, so word of potential expansion with more Pac-12 members has never had reason to go away. Adding to the California footprint with Cal and Stanford would certainly be great fits for academics, but there would potentially be more to gain with the additions of Oregon and Washington, which is why those two schools appear to be the higher priority for any possible Big Ten expansion to come.

There are some concerns about the future of a Big Ten with up to 20 teams, of course, and those will certainly be part of the discussions. But there are also ways to go about expansion that makes sense for everybody, especially if the paydays continue to be as rich as they have been.

As is always the case with conference realignment headlines, stay tuned. Things could happen quickly or drag on into the fall and winter months.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=10]

Report: Big Ten presidents exploring further expansion involving Oregon, Washington, and more

Report: Big Ten presidents exploring further expansion involving Oregon, Washington, and more

According to a report from Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, the Big Ten presidents are currently exploring the possibility of expansion with growing uncertainty mounting around the future of the Pac 12.

According to Wetzel, the focus is on Oregon and Washington, which would move the total to 18 teams. There is also the possibility of adding Cal and Stanford to make it 20.

According to Wetzel, the discussions are in the early stages and no decision is imminent.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Wild rumor suggests Big Ten could add Clemson, Oregon, others by end of this week

Could the Big Ten again shock the world with a big-time expansion move?

Could you imagine a world that has Florida State, Clemson, Oregon and Washington in the Big Ten? That’s apparently a possibility.

Jack McGuire of Barstool Sports’ Unnecessary Roughness podcast has stated the Big Ten “will add Washington, Oregon, FSU, and Clemson this week.” That’s a pretty wild statement but would be a lot of fun if it’s true.

The college football world is in the midst of realignment yet again with Colorado electing to leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12. There is smoke around others leaving the Pac-12 for the Big 12 as well — including Arizona, Arizona State and Utah.

Washington and Oregon have long been considered candidates for the Big Ten, but there has been no indication that either would be coming any time soon. The addition of both of those schools plus Florida State and Clemson before the end of this week seems highly unlikely — but then again who knows these days…

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

The complete Big Ten membership timeline

A look back at the complete Big Ten expansion and realignment timeline

The Big Ten is one of the oldest and most storied conferences in collegiate athletics and home to some of the nation’s top institutions. And as should be expected for a group that has been around as long as the Big Ten has, it has undergone a number of changes over the year. The conference hasn’t had 10 members on the football field since 1993 and is coming up on adding its 15th and 16th members.

The Big Ten still has most of its original lineup in tact, although one founding member took a brief hiatus from the conference and another is no longer associated with the group.

Here is a look at the full Big Ten membership timeline with a look at where it all started, where it has been, and where things are heading in the future.

Which conference would be a better football fit for Oregon — Big Ten or Big 12?

Rivalries and past history matter in college football. With that being said, which conference — Big Ten or Big 12 — would be a better fit for Oregon?

With the departure of the Colorado Buffaloes from the Pac-12 Conference, the topic of conference realignment has once again been brought to the forefront.

If you’re an Oregon Ducks fan, this means your team is in the middle of nearly every conversation brought forth at the moment, good or bad.

[lawrence-related id=45476]

While we’ve talked about potential options for Oregon going forward, and how a move to the Big Ten would be desirable for both parties in the end, we’ve also touched on where the Pac-12 might look to expand if it wants to make a last-ditch effort to keep the conference intact.

Should the Ducks end up leaving the Pac-12, we need to start vetting their landing spot. The Big 12 may be the more likely option at the moment, but the Big Ten is the more-desired outcome. But is the Big Ten that much better than the Big 12, and if so, why?

Let’s take a look at that question. In college football, one of the most important things for fans to hold onto is rivalries, and shared experiences. One place may be a great spot for a team to land, but if it doesn’t have any history with the teams in the conference, the move could fall flat in the end.

So when looking at the Big Ten and the Big 12, which conference has Oregon had more experience with, and where would the best rivalries come from? Let’s take a look:

Athlon Sports picks best expansion fits for Big Ten for Pac-12 members

Athlon Sports says these schools would be in the best possible situation in the Big Ten if the Pac-12 crumbles.

Penn State will have two new schools to call Big Ten opponents beginning in 2024 when USC and UCLA officially join the conference.

The additions of the Trojans and Bruins will bring the Big Ten’s membership to 16, but there could be more moves to come as the Pac-12 braces for the loss of Colorado. Colorado’s decision to return to the Big 12 in 2024 has put the West Coast conference in a troubling spot, and the Big Ten could see additional expansion candidates to consider as a result.

Oregon and Washington are two potential expansion candidates that could be viable options for the Big Ten, but Athlon Sports believes there are a handful of Pac-12 members that could see the Big Ten as their best fit moving forward should stability in the Pac-12 not be feasible.

“It’s no secret Oregon and Washington want to get into the Big Ten,” Steven Lassan writes for Athlon Sports. “Adding the Ducks and Huskies would give the Big Ten two more West Coast powers and strong brands to team with USC and UCLA.”

This has been the common theme when it comes to discussing Oregon and Washington as potential Big Ten expansion targets. Odds are probably good that the two would come as a package as opposed to one or the other. But there could be other expansion candidates worth investigating that would be good fits.

What about Stanford and Cal? Or could the Big 12 be on the horizon for California’s other two Pac-12 members?

“Adding a strong academic school would certainly appeal to the Big Ten presidents,” Athlon Sports says. “If Stanford doesn’t get a Big Ten invite, it would need to hope for an invite to an 18-team Big 12 with California.”

You can see what conferences would be the best fits for the Pac-12’s other members via Athlon Sports.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=10]