The College Sports Realignment

07/06/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

USC & UCLA to Move From Pac-12 to Big Ten in 2024

Last Thursday’s bombshell announcement sent shockwaves through the college sports landscape. On the eve of our holiday weekend, the Big Ten notified both USC and UCLA that their applications to join the conference were accepted, leaving the Pac-12 without two of their flagship schools. They’ll join the conference in 2024.

 

What It Means

A number of things… The unanimous vote by the Big Ten expands the conference to 16 members, and it now stretches from New York to Los Angeles. The addition of the two L.A.-based schools is the second massive upheaval in college sports after Texas and Oklahoma spurned the Big 12 in favor of the SEC. With the Pac-12 and Big 12 dwindling — and likely forming some alliance in the near future — the ACC is the remaining Power-5 conference in limbo.

 

Bottom Line

The realignment of college athletics is just beginning. With NIL (name, image, likeness) and TV deals that stretch coast to coast, we’re about to witness a complete shift in college sports.

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN+: College Realignment’s Next Steps: ACC, Big 12 & Pac-12 Scramble Amid Chaos

SI: Big Ten & Big 12 Draw Interest From Remaining Pac-12 Schools After USC, UCLA Move

Yahoo! Sports: In the Wake of USC & UCLA Moving to Big Ten, Here’s What Every League in College Football Should Do

 

Photo: Michael Hickey / Getty Images