Are we witnessing the disintegration of PAC-12 in real time? Looks like we might be after John Wellner dropped a bombshell this morning, reporting that USC Trojans And the UCLA Bruins They are “planning to leave” the Pac-12 and defection to the Big Ten, possibly as early as 2024.
Source: USC and UCLA plan to leave for the Big Ten as early as 2024. Transfer *not completed* at the highest level of strength.
– John Wilner (@wilnerhotline) 30 June 2022
Since Wellner’s tweet, CFB journalists have started to pick up speed, and as information pours in in the next hour, ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel and The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach report a done deal, and an announcement imminent:
Sources say USC and UCLA’s move to the Big Ten is over Tweet embed.
It could be an announcement today.
– Nicole Auerbach (@nicole Auerbach) 30 June 2022
He spoke to a few sources who described the USC and UCLA’s move to the Big Ten as a formality, and a press conference is expected within the next 24 hours. Maybe as soon as tonight. This is basically done.
PetThamel 30 June 2022
Modernization: He. She he is ultimate.
This is clearly shocking news for WSU, as much as the Cougars want to continue to stay relevant to the highest level of college athletics — and continue to reap the financial benefits of this arrangement. The next media rights deal for the Pac-12 is around the corner, and the conference’s negotiating position is significantly weak without the two Los Angeles schools in the television footprint.
We’ll update this story as we have more information – and I think I have some ideas that are more coherent at some point today – but for now, in the comments. What happens to us? What happens to the Pac-12?
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