Big Ten Explores Potential Expansion, Considers Four Pac-12 Schools
In a recent virtual meeting, a subgroup of four Big Ten university presidents engaged in exploratory discussions regarding the possibility of expanding the conference’s membership by two or four teams. This information was confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, as reported by The Athletic. It was revealed that this meeting was not the first of its kind in recent weeks, indicating ongoing conversations.
The two sources emphasized that these discussions are still in their early stages and are merely preliminary. The Big Ten conference may ultimately decide to maintain its current 16-member configuration and choose not to expand further. However, if expansion does occur, the four schools under consideration for potential inclusion are Oregon and Washington, if the Big Ten opts for a two-team expansion, and Cal and Stanford, if it aims to expand by four teams. Notably, all four universities are currently part of the Pac-12 conference.
Responding to these reports, the Big Ten stated on Wednesday that while they remain focused on integrating USC and UCLA, the conference’s commissioner is responsible for keeping the chancellors and presidents informed about new developments. This statement reflects the conference’s cautious approach to potential expansion.
One source familiar with the matter suggested that the Big Ten would likely await the outcomes of events in the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences before making any definitive decisions. The Big Ten is keen on ensuring that its actions do not contribute to the demise of the Pac-12 Conference, indicating a need for a wait-and-see approach.
The second source highlighted that ongoing evaluation and discussions are not new, underscoring the responsibility of the Big Ten’s presidents and chancellors to address concerns about the conference landscape. Illinois chancellor Robert J. Jones, who chairs the Big Ten’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors, shared in April that the conference is carrying out analyses to determine the costs and benefits of expansion. He stressed that any decision would prioritize the current membership’s best interests and require significant added value to warrant expansion beyond the existing 16 teams.
The backdrop against which these discussions are taking place is a period of uncertainty and instability within the Pac-12. Just last week, Colorado publicized its intention to join the Big 12 Conference in the 2024-25 academic year. This announcement followed a unanimous vote by Big 12 presidents and chancellors to accept the Buffaloes as a member. Additionally, it was reported that Commissioner George Kliavkoff presented several media rights deal options, including a subscription-based deal through Apple, to the league members on Tuesday. The Arizona Board of Regents, governing both the University of Arizona and Arizona State, convened a special board meeting on the same day, fueling speculation about their potential interest in joining the Big 12.
The interest of Oregon and Washington in the Big Ten has long been speculated, particularly since the Pac-12 powerhouses USC and UCLA announced their departure from the conference last summer. However, it remained unclear whether the Big Ten had any significant interest in expanding beyond its current 16-team structure. In April, Chancellor Jones indicated that expansion was not a top priority at the time, and new commissioner Tony Petitti refrained from addressing the matter during last week’s Big Ten media days appearance, focusing instead on the smooth integration of USC and UCLA into the conference by 2024-25.
As discussions surrounding potential conference realignment continue, the Big Ten explores the possibilities and weighs the potential benefits against the current landscape of college athletics. The future of college conferences remains uncertain, and the decisions made in the coming months could have far-reaching implications for collegiate sports.