UCLA and USC to the B1G per report.
- Thread starter Victorbmyboy
- Start date
Big research and athletic money at play. These schools bring in loads of research money. I’d say Stanford is #1 with those California schools close behind.
I really do not see this happening. I see it is more like clickbait.
UCLA and USC are long-time members of the now PAC-12. They are academically strong and storied athletic programs in that conference. The only way that I can see this happening is if the PAC-12 were to totally dissolve and I do not think that is highly probable.
One could point out that Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the BIG-12 for the SEC so the UCLA/USC move is not out of the question. That is fair. However, the geographical differences for travel are very different in comparing the two moves.
I suspect that given the size and viewership of the metro LA population, UCLA and USC are looking for a larger piece of the tv pie that the PAC-12 gets compared to the other members. Remember, Texas was very vocal about shares of the BIG-12 money and started its own network so it did not have to share as much. I think that this play is far more likely.
UCLA and USC are long-time members of the now PAC-12. They are academically strong and storied athletic programs in that conference. The only way that I can see this happening is if the PAC-12 were to totally dissolve and I do not think that is highly probable.
One could point out that Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the BIG-12 for the SEC so the UCLA/USC move is not out of the question. That is fair. However, the geographical differences for travel are very different in comparing the two moves.
I suspect that given the size and viewership of the metro LA population, UCLA and USC are looking for a larger piece of the tv pie that the PAC-12 gets compared to the other members. Remember, Texas was very vocal about shares of the BIG-12 money and started its own network so it did not have to share as much. I think that this play is far more likely.
CBS Sports has it on the front page.
I don't know. I guess it could be kind of cool, making some regular trips to the West Coast. There was a time when it was very common for B1G teams to face Pac-12 teams in September. I guess it would be fun to see Purdue play UCLA in basketball regularly.
On the other hand, though, this seems like a real stretch for everything except football and basketball. Do these LA-based schools really want to fly their Olympic sports teams all over the Midwest? Do they want to play baseball in Ann Arbor in March?
I don't know. I guess it could be kind of cool, making some regular trips to the West Coast. There was a time when it was very common for B1G teams to face Pac-12 teams in September. I guess it would be fun to see Purdue play UCLA in basketball regularly.
On the other hand, though, this seems like a real stretch for everything except football and basketball. Do these LA-based schools really want to fly their Olympic sports teams all over the Midwest? Do they want to play baseball in Ann Arbor in March?
UNC would (despite a couple of recent scandals). Those other two, not so much.
When I used to pick up my wife at UNC, I would always park next to a space labeled: Nobel Prize Winner only.
Don’t discount research standing in this. Pretty sure those California schools bring in loads of $$.
They could do a lot of fun things with the Purdue-UCLA basketball rivalry based on our shared connections to John Wooden.
FSU - ACC 20 yr GOR
SC - SEC - srsly?
UNC = ACC 20 yr GOR
ACC and SEC off table, and that includes Notre Dame (they signed ACC GOR)
Leftovers of BXII and PAC all that remains. This was a BIG MOVE.
They do.
edit; UCLA - $1.3B (#7), USC $909mm (#27). Both research giants, like the B1G.
For comparison, highest current B1G - UM #2, Wisco #8, Maryland #14 (PU #40 @ $663mm) 2019 numbers
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The tv rights are said to be north of 1 billion if this happens. Rose bowl will be the B1G championship. 🤣
Hey remember the B1G/ACC/PAC-12 Alliance? That was fun.
That was so 3.5 months ago.
And this is exactly why I said it was meaningless at the time...
American Top 40, commissioner Casey Kasem.
Direct flights with school aircraft make that trip pretty simple...
Love this. Two great academic institutions that also excel in sports. Bring on Stanford, Oregon, and 2 more and call it a day.
That's a good list. Adding 2-4 more highly qualified West Coast schools (for a total of 4-6) would greatly help with scheduling and travel as well. And getting into the TV markets in the Bay Area, AZ, and the NW might further strengthen the B1G's TV rights negotiating leverage.
I'll be surprised if usc and ucla are alone in this.
Certainly. But every sport multiple times each year?
It won't be too bad for Purdue and most current B1G schools. We're looking at, what, 3-5 West Coast trips each year? Definitely at least one basketball trip, probably volleyball and at least a couple Olympic sports. Football a couple times each decade sound about right?
But those LA schools are going to travel a lot, even if the league comes up with Hawaii-like scheduling, which I assume it will.
Don't think those 4 are all going to abandon their biggest rivals. I would take Stanford and Cal though.
Anyway that seemed to happen quickly and out of nowhere.
Right I was thinking either AZ or Cal. Cal might make more sense. Oregon has gone nationwide with the Nike support. I am not sure how big those rivalries are with Oregon St and Washington St. I never hear about it like IU/Purdue but I haven’t lived in the Pacific NW.
Yup. A poster on another board made a good point: What’s the likelihood UCLA and USC made this move thinking Nebraska will be their closest away game?
Can’t wait for all the fans going to the B1G Tournament at the Staples Center!
Just a money grab and yet another nail in the coffin of traditional college sports.
Just a money grab and yet another nail in the coffin of traditional college sports.
I’d happily abandon IU if switching conferences benefited Purdue.
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