Report: Big Ten Championship On the Move?
Front Office Sports reports that the Big Ten Championship could move to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas from its current permanent home in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Allegiant Stadium is the home of the Raiders and the likely last-ever Pac-12 Championship game in 2023. Could such a move work out for improving bicoastal relations and logistics? Let’s take a look.
A couple of weeks ago, the Big Ten finished off its “western corridor” with the additions of Oregon and Washington. USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington are slated to begin conference play during the 2024 season. The conference championship game moving to the West or at the least, rotating cities is a logical move. It could be alternating seasons in order to appease both coasts in terms of travel costs. The opportunity for Western-based players to play in front of their loved ones is not lost as well. In addition to those factors, having the game in Sin City would help the eastern bases get their name out to West recruits.
Interestingly, the Las Vegas Bowl currently has tie-ins from the Pac-12 and Big Ten / SEC (alternating seasons). The game will have to be renegotiated as the Pac-12 is now the Pac-4, one would imagine.
Las Vegas is quickly rising as the premier sports hub in the Western United States. They have the Raiders, host the UFC headquarters, Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights, and are home to the defending WNBA champion Aces. The Oakland Athletics are relocating to the city as well shortly. It has hosted both the Pac-12 football championship and basketball tournament in recent seasons.
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!