The collegiate football organization announced Thursday that USC and UCLA will join the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
The two schools, which were part of the Pac-12 Conference, were accepted into the Big Ten by unanimous vote after written submissions. USC and UCLA were evaluated on the principles of “academics and culture; student-athlete care, competition and logistics; commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion in sports; and financial sustainability,” according to a news release on Big Ten website.
“As the national leader in academia and athletics for over 126 years, the Big Ten has historically valued its membership with the collective goal of directing the academic and athletic mission of student-athletes under the umbrella of higher education,” said Commissioner Kevin Warren. in the current situation. “Today’s unanimous vote is indicative of the deep respect and culture of welcome that our entire conference of USC, under the leadership of President Carol Wohlt, and the University of California, Los Angeles, under the leadership of Chancellor Jane Block. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of the campus leadership, athletics directors, Presidents Council and advisors who are aware of the changing college athletics landscape, systematically review each application, and take appropriate action based on our consensus.”
USC and UCLA will join Indiana University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Northwestern University, Purdue University and University Wisconsin.
The move is a blow for ESPN and a boon for Fox Sports. The transformation of two West Coast schools into the Big Ten will give a boost to football offerings on the Big Ten Network, the sports booth launched in 2007 as a 20-year joint venture of the conference and Fox Sports. Currently, ESPN and Fox Sports are sharing a TV rights package for the Pac-12 conference, but that deal will expire in 2024.
Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.
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