Revisiting a Potential UCLA-Sacramento State Long-Term Partnership

Recently, I wrote an article regarding a potential football partnership/on-field rivalry between UCLA and Sacramento State. There have been some new developments that could accelerate that timeline, putting a priority on opening talks between the two organizations.

Before we begin, I'd like to correct my previous statements regarding Sacramento State. I stated Sacramento State was a part of the Bay Area, but that is incorrect. After speaking with people from the region, Sacramento is its own independent market and that market is a top 20 media market in America. That makes it even more likely that Sacramento State's huge NIL budget will only increase in the future.

Not only that, Sacramento State has made some big splashes in recruiting, securing the top FCS transfer class, according to the Sacramento Bee. Head coach Brennan Marion has already secured the services of former Tulsa QB Cardell Williams, former Pittsburg RB Rodney Hammond, and former UNLV players Timothy Connery and Brennon Scott among others. While Marion was expected to have early success in the portal, he is getting the Hornets ready to compete at the national stage at an accelerated rate.

Marion is assembling his squad fast and considering he may want to get his team exposed to playing FBS opponents sooner rather than later, UCLA needs to make a move to bring the Hornets to the Rose Bowl.