Report: Big Ten Adds Oregon and Washington
After a wild week of drama full of twists and turns, the long-rumored move has happened. Multiple reports, such as @ActionNetworkHQ‘s Brett McMurphy have stated that the Big Ten will extend both Oregon and Washington invitations to join the conference.
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported earlier today that both remaining flagship universities informed their now-former conference of their intentions.
Oregon and Washington accepted the invitation and leave the Pac-12 conference, which has gone through significant changes over the past year. The diminished “Power Five” conference has lost all four premier programs to the B1G, Colorado left for the Big 12 last week, and Arizona is all but confirmed for the Big 12. Arizona State and Utah are now on the clock in terms of their rumored move to the Big 12.
Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic confirms that the Big Ten will formally approve both programs soon.
What’s next for the Pac-12?
The conference is in turmoil as USC, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington have left for the Big Ten. The conference is projected to lose the remaining “Corner States” programs. There is no buyout fee for the West coast based conference as well. It remains to be decided what becomes of the remaining programs like Oregon State and Washington State. Perhaps a merger with the Mountain West Conference is on the table. The supposed life buoy of an ACC-Pac merger is all but gone now.
What’s next for the Big Ten?
After the additions of the aforementioned four universities, they have alleviated some travel concerns. Of course, the media rights share finances will have to be worked out with such a move. The scheduling for the 2024-25 season will have to be ironed out. USC and UCLA are no longer the outposts in the conference so they have some mutual friends. The Big Ten could be looking at growing even bigger with eastward expansion (i.e. FSU et al from the ACC).
Stay tuned to NFL Draft Diamonds for further updates as this is a fluid situation!
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