Are we seeing the real-time disbandment of Pac-12? Looks like we could run into after Jon Wilner dropped a bomb this morning, reporting that USC Trojan and UCLA Bruins is “planning to leave” the Pac-12 and defect to the Big Ten, perhaps as early as 2024.
Source: USC and UCLA are planning to join the Big Ten in 2024 at the earliest. Move *unfinished* at the highest levels of power.
– Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) June 30, 2022
Since Wilner’s tweet, CFB magazine has been overwhelmed, and when the news came out an hour later, both ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel and The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach reported it was a deal. Agreement is completed and an announcement is imminent:
Sources say USC and UCLA’s move to the Big Ten is all but wrapped up. @TheAthletic.
Maybe an announcement today.
– Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 30, 2022
Speaking to several sources, who called the move by USC and UCLA to the Big Ten a formality, with a press conference scheduled in the next 24 hours. Probably as early as tonight. This is basically done.
– Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
This is obviously terrible news for WSU, as the Cougars want to continue to stay relevant at the highest level of college athletics – and continue to reap the financial benefits of that deal. The next Pac-12 media rights deal is near, and the conference’s negotiating position has been massively weakened by the absence of both Los Angeles schools on television.
We’ll update this story as we get more information – and I think I’ll have some slightly more coherent thoughts at some point today – but for now, let’s jot it down. in the comments section. What happens to us? What happens to the Pac-12?