USC, UCLA officially announce 2024 move to Big Ten Conference
Just hours after reports surfaced that USC and UCLA were in discussions to join the Big Ten Conference, both schools made the move official Thursday.
The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins will compete in the Pac-12 for two more years before joining the Big Ten for the 2024-25 athletics season. The membership applications from the pair of Los Angeles schools were accepted unanimously by the Big Ten's chancellors and presidents Thursday afternoon, according to The Athletic.
"This is the most volatile and uncertain era in the history of American collegiate athletics," USC athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement announcing the move. "USC must ensure it is best positioned and prepared for whatever happens next, and it is our responsibility to always evaluate potential opportunities and be willing to make changes when needed. Ultimately, the Big Ten is the best home for USC and Trojan athletics as we move into the new world of collegiate sports."
The departures of USC and UCLA reportedly took other member schools in the Pac-12 by surprise, including Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens, who is said to have had "no indications" the move was coming. The sudden change for the Pac-12 now looks like it'll be the first of several dominoes to fall.
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that "several schools -- most of them from the Pac-12 -- have contacted the Big Ten" about also joining the conference. Brett McMurphy of Action Network said the move may lead to the Big 12 making an attempt to add Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado.
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