Exploratory expansion talks got the green light from Big Ten presidents on Thursday, ushering in the possibility of bringing Oregon and Washington into the conference as early as 2024.
While the Big Ten put wheels in motion, multiple Pac-12 Board of Regents meetings were scheduled as special sessions on Thursday night, including at Washington and Arizona. The Arizona Board of Regents oversees Arizona and Arizona State, both Pac-12 members.
The Big Ten released a cryptic statement Wednesday when word leaked about a virtual meeting of select presidents who make up the league’s expansion committee.
“Big Ten Conference is still focused on integration of USC and UCLA, but it’s also commissioner’s job to keep conference chancellors and presidents informed about new developments as they occur,” the statement read.
Multiple reports said the league has targeted Oregon and Washington, who would be asked to join the Big Ten at the same time as UCLA and USC. Both California universities are in their final year of Pac-12 competition.
ESPN reported no offers were made to Oregon or Washington, but the meeting Wednesday cleared commissioner Tony Petitti to discuss the framework of his plan and gather information on the interest of the two Pacific Northwest programs.
Fellow Pac-12 schools Stanford and Cal, according to Yahoo Sports, are also expected to join that conversation. ESPN reported the top tier includes only Oregon and Washington at this time.
Colorado University officials met publicly only twice to quickly approve the athletic programs move last month back to the Big 12. Colorado, a founding member of the Big 8 and Big 12, leaves the Pac-12 next year.
–Field Level Media
