Sources have revealed that Oregon and Washington are in the final stages of negotiations to join the Big Ten, marking a significant move that could have far-reaching consequences for the Pac-12 conference.
According to insider information, both schools are expected to formally apply for Big Ten membership on Friday. A vote within the Big Ten is anticipated later today, with unanimity required for their inclusion in 2024, despite initial reluctance from some league schools to admit them.
While the financial details of the move remain unclear, it has been disclosed that Oregon and Washington will receive only a partial share of the conference’s allotment during the duration of its upcoming television deal, which extends until the 2029-30 school year.
The addition of Oregon and Washington would expand the Big Ten to a total of 18 schools, forming a Western wing that includes USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, commencing in 2024. The lack of an exit fee for these schools is attributed to the expiration of the Pac-12’s current television deal.
The impending departure of Colorado, alongside the anticipated exits of Oregon and Washington, has left the century-old Pac-12 conference in a state of uncertainty. In response to the shifting landscape, Arizona has already applied for and been admitted to the Big 12, with further talks between the Big 12 and Utah and Arizona State gaining momentum.
With the Pac-12’s television deal expiring after the 2023-24 school year, the conference’s future hangs in the balance. The departure of these key schools leaves the league with limited certainty, primarily comprising California, Stanford, Oregon State, and Washington State. However, the Pac-12 faces challenges in adding Mountain West programs in 2024, as each school is subject to a $32 million exit fee if they leave before the start of the 2025 football season.
Although the move to the Big Ten may not provide immediate financial windfalls for Oregon and Washington, the deal is expected to gradually escalate over the years. While the current payout may be a half-share compared to other conference teams, it is projected to be competitive and possibly surpass payouts in leagues like the Big 12 and ACC.
Despite some uncertainty surrounding the Big Ten’s full-share financial details, the conference’s potential television contract and additional revenue sources, such as College Football Playoff money and NCAA tournament units, indicate a fair projection of nearly $70 million annually.
As the Big Ten becomes the first major conference to expand to 18 teams, the notion of super conferences gains further momentum. The SEC is set to debut as a 16-team conference in 2024 with Texas and Oklahoma, coinciding with the Big Ten’s addition of West Coast schools. Meanwhile, the Big 12’s number of teams is officially at 13, and this figure may increase in the near future.
The inclusion of Oregon and Washington in the Big Ten strengthens the conference’s football prowess, given their previous participation in the College Football Playoff. They will join Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan as CFP teams within the league. As this pivotal decision unfolds, the PNW awaits the ramifications on its collegiate sports landscape. Visit ESPN for more information.
