Delivering a severe blow to the Pac-12 conference, the Big Ten announced on Friday that Oregon and Washington have been accepted as new members, set to join the league in August of the following year.
Earlier in the day, the Big Ten paved the way for these Pacific Northwest rivals to become part of the conference, with the Ducks being the first to officially confirm their acceptance through a unanimous vote by their 13 trustees. Subsequently, the Big Ten’s presidents’ council voted to admit both Oregon and Washington.
Oregon President John Karl Scholz expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our student-athletes will participate at the highest level of collegiate athletic competition, and our alumni, friends, and fans will be able to carry the spirit of Oregon across the country.”
This recent addition marks the Big Ten’s continued expansion into the Rose Bowl partner conference, following the inclusion of Southern California and UCLA just over a year ago. Consequently, the Big Ten will encompass a total of 18 member schools, including four situated on the West Coast. The resulting conference will become the largest in major college sports, spanning across 15 states, ranging from New Jersey to Washington.
Washington President Ana Mari Cauce shared her excitement, emphasizing, “The Big Ten is a thriving conference with strong athletic and academic traditions, and we are excited and confident about competing at the highest level on a national stage.”
The initiative to consider adding Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten was driven by former Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, particularly after securing USC and UCLA as members last summer. This strategic move by the Big Ten has dealt a significant blow to the Pac-12, leading to a sequence of departures and reorganization efforts.
The Pac-12 faced a pivotal meeting on Friday to determine its remaining members’ response to a potential media rights deal presented by Commissioner George Kilavkoff in collaboration with Apple. Although the details of the meeting remain confidential, sources indicate that Oregon and Washington were initially leaning towards staying in the Pac-12. However, Oregon officials later notified the Pac-12 of their decision to engage with the Big Ten, indicating discomfort with the Apple deal.
The Pac-12 conference is now at a critical juncture, with several schools considering departures and potential realignment. The University of Arizona has been engaged in discussions to join the Big 12, a move that Colorado has already committed to. Arizona State’s decision remains uncertain, with attempts to align the schools underway.
In the larger context of college sports realignment, the Pac-12’s fate hangs in the balance, as the conference faces the possibility of dwindling down to only four members – Stanford, California, Oregon State, and Washington State.
