In a ‘daring, formidable step,’ Large Ten grows to 16 with additions of USC, UCLA

In a 'bold, ambitious step,' Big Ten grows to 16 with additions of USC, UCLA - Lincoln Journal Star

EVAN BLAND Omaha World-Herald

USC and UCLA are formally set to affix the Large Ten Convention starting with the 2024-25 season, marking maybe the most important seismic and historic shift but amid the ever-changing panorama of school athletics.

The stunning information performed out publicly throughout roughly seven hours Thursday as the 2 flagship Pac-12 Convention faculties went from being reportedly involved in altering leagues to every college and league formally acknowledging their future locations by the tip of enterprise hours on the West Coast.

Athlete Compensation Football

UCLA operating again Zach Charbonnet (24) runs the ball in for a landing as Southern California defensive lineman Jacob Lichtenstein (97) tries to cease him through the second half of the crew’s recreation in 2021.

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The Large Ten’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to simply accept the appliance of membership from every college Thursday night. And whereas the information despatched shockwaves via faculty sports activities, nationwide stories indicated — and the Large Ten confirmed — the transfer had been within the works behind the scenes for weeks.

One supply instructed The Athletic that every college was requested two weeks in the past to conduct a feasibility examine about including USC and UCLA.

The suggestions, evidently, was constructive.

Now the Large Ten joins the SEC as a 16-team league, solely with a really nationwide footprint from Jersey Shore to Malibu Seaside. The Los Angeles-based faculties will carry alongside each sport that the Large Ten fields after they grow to be full members Aug. 2, 2024.

“In the end, the Large Ten is the most effective dwelling for USC and Trojan athletics as we transfer into the brand new world of collegiate sports activities,” USC athletic director Mike Bohn mentioned in a launch. “We’re excited that our values align with the league’s member establishments.”

USC and UCLA reportedly approached the Large Ten with a want to affix and grow to be the league’s first new faculties because it added Rutgers and Maryland in 2014 and Nebraska in 2011 through the early levels of convention realignment. The transfer can be considered as a response to the SEC touchdown Texas and Oklahoma out of the Large 12 Convention final summer season and one more step nearer to the SEC and Large Ten separating themselves financially and in whole membership from everybody else, together with their different Energy 5 friends.

The additions are additionally probably why the Large Ten had but to announce its plan to maintain or get rid of soccer divisions whereas different leagues together with the Pac-12 and ACC have already scrapped them.

In the meantime, the convention stays within the midst of negotiating its tv rights cope with Fox and others, with earlier estimates that it’s going to internet north of $1 billion in its subsequent spherical of contracts. That determine is assured to now rise additional with the addition of one other main media market in Los Angeles and two brand-name universities. Apple has already reached out asking to reengage in negotiations, in keeping with a report from Sports activities Enterprise Journal.

Such monetary stability might be a boon for the newcomers. The LA Occasions in January reported that UCLA’s Athletic Division absorbed a lack of $62.5 million for the 2021 fiscal 12 months.

“Though this transfer will increase journey distances for groups, the assets provided by Large Ten membership might enable for extra environment friendly transportation choices,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and athletic director Martin Jarmond mentioned in a press release.

The transition may in concept be comparatively clean for USC and UCLA as a result of their grant of rights are linked to the present Pac-12 TV deal, which expires after the 2023-24 college 12 months.

A number of stories additionally indicated Large Ten enlargement is probably not over. Would remaining Pac-12 members like Washington and Oregon even be prospects to vary leagues? What about different holdovers in that convention like Stanford?

Notre Dame — a longtime siren of the Large Ten — could also be extra in play as soon as once more to affix a convention in soccer. The Irish and their contract with NBC runs via at the very least 2025 on a deal reportedly price $15 million yearly. Ought to NBC be a part of the Large Ten’s new-look media rights deal shifting ahead, it may probably assist bridge the longtime distance between the league and college.

“It’s actually unsustainable to be an impartial now,” a supply instructed ESPN.

The 2 Pac-12 additions on their very own are watershed moments within the 126-year historical past of the Large Ten, initially often called the Western Intercollegiate Convention, and ship ripple results all through the league.

For Nebraska, the choice strikes it from the western frontier of the convention to the geographic heart. Husker directors launched a press release Thursday night welcoming the Bruins and Trojans.

“That is an thrilling and historic day for the Large Ten Convention and the College of Nebraska,” Chancellor Ronnie Inexperienced and athletic director Trev Alberts mentioned in a joint assertion. “The addition of UCLA and USC to the Large Ten is a daring, formidable step throughout a time of historic change within the collegiate athletics panorama. These establishments will add two world-class athletic departments and types to the Large Ten and stretch the Convention footprint from coast to coast.”

The assertion additionally cited NU’s massive base of alumni in California that may watch video games and its historical past of recruiting success within the state.

“For the College of Nebraska, there are a lot of positives related to this enlargement,” the assertion mentioned. “UNL has a big alumni base in California that can have an ideal alternative to repeatedly watch our groups compete in historic athletic venues in Southern California. Nebraska has had a historical past of success recruiting athletes from California, and this can solely improve Nebraska’s profile in a fertile recruiting floor. We welcome UCLA and USC to the Large Ten Convention and stay up for competing with them sooner or later.”

The subsequent transfer for the Pac-12 stays unclear. It may search so as to add present or future Large 12 members together with BYU or try to face pat. The convention had been a part of a so-called “Alliance” with the Large Ten and ACC for the final 12 months.

That partnership, for all intents and functions, now ceases to exist.

Stated the Pac-12: “Whereas we’re extraordinarily stunned and disillusioned by the information popping out of UCLA and USC at the moment, we’ve got an extended and storied historical past in athletics, teachers, and management in supporting student-athletes that we’re assured will proceed to thrive and develop into the long run.”​

The 2022 Nebraska soccer schedule

Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern Wildcats

When: 11: 30 a.m., Aug. 27

The place: Dublin, Eire

2021 document: 3-9, 1-8 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 9-6

Final assembly: Nebraska received 56-7 (Oct. 2, 2021)

North Dakota Preventing Hawks

North Dakota Fighting Hawks

When: 2: 30 p.m., Sept. 3

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 5-6, 3-5 Missouri Valley

Nebraska’s document towards: 1-0

Final assembly: Nebraska received 33-0 (Sept. 23, 1961)

Georgia Southern Eagles

Georgia Southern Eagles

When: 6: 30 p.m., Sept. 10

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 3-9, 2-6 Solar Belt

Nebraska’s document towards: By no means performed

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooners

When: 11 a.m., Sept. 17

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 10-2, 7-2 Large 12

Nebraska’s document towards: 38-46-3

Final assembly: Oklahoma received 23-16 (Sept. 18, 2021)

Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana Hoosiers

When: 6 or 6: 30 p.m., Oct. 1

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 2-10, 0-9 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 8-10-3

Final assembly: Indiana received 38-31 (Oct. 26, 2019)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

When: 6 p.m., Oct. 7

The place: Piscataway, New Jersey

2021 document: 5-7, 2-7 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 5-0

Final assembly: Nebraska received 28-21 (Sept. 18, 2020)

Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue Boilermakers

When: Oct. 15

The place: West Lafayette, Indiana

2021 document: 8-4, 6-3 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 5-5

Final assembly: Purdue received 28-23 (Oct. 30, 2021)

Illinois Preventing Illini

Illinois Fighting Illini

When: Oct. 29

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 5-7, 4-5 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 13-5-1

Final assembly: Illinois received 30-22 (Aug. 28, 2021)

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota Golden Gophers

When: Nov. 5

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 8-4, 6-3 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 25-35-2

Final assembly: Minnesota received 30-23 (Oct. 16, 2021)

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines

When: Nov. 12

The place: Ann Arbor, Michigan

2021 document: 11-1, 8-1 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 4-6-1 

Final assembly: Michigan received 32-29 (Oct. 9, 2021)

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin Badgers

When: Nov. 19

The place: Lincoln, Nebraska

2021 document: 8-4, 6-3 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 4-11

Final assembly: Wisconsin received 35-28 (Nov. 20, 2021)

Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa Hawkeyes

When: 3 p.m., Nov. 25

The place: Iowa Metropolis, Iowa

2021 document: 10-2, 7-2 Large Ten

Nebraska’s document towards: 29-20-3

Final assembly: Iowa received 28-21 (Nov. 26, 2021)

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