The seismic news that shocked college football Thursday came in a dramatic deluge of updates, one after another, reinforcing earlier reports, adding new details, infusing reality that this was actually going to happen.
And before dinner time on the West Coast, it was a done deal.
USC and UCLA are leaving the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten, effective Aug. 2024.
Both schools formally announced the news that was first teased earlier in the day by Bay Area News Group's Jon Wilner, followed quickly by the calvary of national college football reporters.
OFFICIAL: USC will join the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) June 30, 2022
𝗕𝗜𝗚 news! UCLA is joining the Big Ten Conference at the start of the 2024-25 season! 👀
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) June 30, 2022
➡️: https://t.co/ygoY70o2bo#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/Cgj5orGhiI
So what does this all mean?
Well, a whole heck of a lot ...
It would seem to be a proactive move in acknowledgement of where college football is moving, after the SEC gobbled up Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 to grow to 16 teams and expand its footprint and stature as the top conference in college football.
With the Big 12 depleted, the ACC top-heavy at best and the Pac-12 already mired down the conference rankings in terms of national perception, it only makes sense for the Big Ten to bulk up as well and leave no doubt of its stature as a top 2 conference in the sport.
And if the leadership at USC and UCLA perceived that was likely to happen, best for the Trojans and Bruins to hop on that train rather than being left behind on the periphery of national relevance.
Indeed, the Trojans (and Bruins) have chosen to claim their place in the now limited real estate that will truly command college sports' national spotlight.
Meanwhile, some other side effects -- good, bad and otherwise:
-That future USC-Rutgers matchup or road trips to frigid Madison, Wisc., in October and November may be the cost of doing business here.
"Is this heaven?"
"No, it's Iowa"
So goes the famous line from "Field of Dreams." A USC roster comprised largely from Southern California and Texas may think otherwise, but the Trojans have two years to invest in sideline heaters and those big coats that go over the shoulder pads.
-To that same end are the logistical challenges of conference road games as far east as New Jersey (Rutgers), Pennsylvania (Penn State) and Maryland. That's a long way to go for a weekday tennis match.
-What this means for the future of the Cal and Stanford series would be a secondary concern for the powers that be to work out down the road, but it might leave some strained relationships within the state.
-There will be unideal consequences and casualties of such a power move, but again, what if the alternative is watching the Big Ten and SEC balloon into two super conferences while the Trojans are still battling in the Pac-12 South, trying to convince voters and committees they deserve to be viewed among the best in the country?
-To that end, Wilner reports this could be a financial windfall for the Trojans and Bruins with more than enough to get those baseball teams and all the bats, helmets and balls to Illinois and back.
Source: USC, UCLA could top 100m annually in media rights in the Big Ten
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) June 30, 2022
-Of course, not all sports have a place in the Big Ten ...
The Big Ten obviously can’t accomodate beach volleyball.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) June 30, 2022
So USC will continue to play beach volleyball in the Pac-12.
-From a basketball standpoint, it would only boost USC's strength of schedule as the Big Ten traditionally has more depth year in and year out than the Pac-12 -- especially a Big Ten adding the Trojans and Bruins.
-The Big Ten will match the SEC with 16 teams (for now) and have the widest reach of any conference, from Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, through the Midwest and all the way to the California coast. But who's to say either league is done pillaging the rest of college athletics? Two 20-team super conferences aren't at all out the question.
Meanwhile, does the top of the ACC -- Clemson, Florida State, Miami, maybe Virginia Tech, and North Carolina and Duke from a basketball standpoint -- now question its own futures with two super conferences breaking from the rest of the pack? Let alone the likes of Oregon, which is highly competitive in both football and basketball within the Pac-12.
Just got off the phone with someone who believes this eventually leads to two megaconferences — the Big Ten and SEC — with 20 or more members apiece.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 30, 2022
This account has been spot-on for a while about the direction of college sports. So ... yeah. Notre Dame. https://t.co/Ib4pQCsUbS
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) June 30, 2022
There will be much more to dissect and discuss moving forward. Indeed, this will be the dominant storyline for these schools and college sports at large now.
In the meantime, share your thoughts on our Trojan Talk board.
And enjoy a look back through how the news unfolded Thursday ...
Thursday Twitter timeline of the news
I believe the world is about to change
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) June 30, 2022
Source: USC and UCLA are planning to leave for the Big Ten as early as 2024. Move *has not been finalized* at the highest levels of power.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) June 30, 2022
Source tells me that there is a lot of truth to @wilnerhotline report about USC and UCLA in discussions to leave for the Big Ten. My understanding is USC and UCLA reached out to the Big Ten.. certain legal parameters and bylaws need to be followed for obviously legal reasons. https://t.co/2NSDv8YtWA
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) June 30, 2022
Sources confirm to @latimes that USC and UCLA are negotiating to join the Big Ten in a stunning and landscape-altering move for college sports. @wilnerhotline was first on the huge news.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) June 30, 2022
High-level Big Ten folks have been cagey & locked down since dinner time yesterday. Was told there was a meeting with ADs and presidents last night.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 30, 2022
Now we know why. They're talking to USC & UCLA about them joining the Big Ten: https://t.co/vutSRzI3AL
Spoke to a few sources who called USC and UCLA's move to the Big Ten a formality, with a press conference expected in next 24 hours. Perhaps as soon as tonight. This is essentially done.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
Sources tell @latimes that USC was the impetus behind this move to the Big Ten.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) June 30, 2022
The move is believed to include all sports except for beach volleyball, sources say.
The biggest obstacle in such a move had long been UCLA leaving behind Cal because it meant breaking away from UC system, per sources. One Pac-12 source said they were "stunned" UCLA would make that move. https://t.co/jWgX3ZBs2J
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
From a source on UCLA and USC moving to the Big Ten in 2024-25. Vote among Big Ten presidents and chancellors is happening now. The source added:“I think they’ll be an announcement this evening.”
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
Big Ten presidents are set to vote to accept the application of membership from UCLA and USC this evening, sources tell @SINow.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 30, 2022
It is expected to be unanimous.
Pac-12 presidents and ADs have a call this afternoon as well to discuss the issue.
Source: USC, UCLA could top 100m annually in media rights in the Big Ten
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) June 30, 2022
From a source on UCLA and USC moving to the Big Ten in 2024-25. Vote among Big Ten presidents and chancellors is happening now. The source added:“I think they’ll be an announcement this evening.”
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
Sources: USC and UCLA have been notified that their application to join the Big Ten has been accepted. The schools will begin play in 2024.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 30, 2022
BREAKING USC and UCLA’s move to the Big Ten is now official. The two Los Angles-based schools will begin play in the Big Ten in 2024-25. https://t.co/6o7eJsvuzp
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) June 30, 2022
"It does become the one national conference." @FOXSports' @BruceFeldmanCFB explains what additions of @UCLAAthletics & @USC_Athletics mean for the @bigten. pic.twitter.com/drKNbGcbDc
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 1, 2022
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