Report: Big Ten 'Not Finished' With Future Expansion

The Big Ten is still looking to expand in the future with more Pac-12 programs.

USC and UCLA will soon depart the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten. Will other programs from out west follow suit? 

According to multiple reports, the Big Ten "isn't finished raiding" the Pac-12 of its programs in the coming years. According to Saturday Out West, a website primarily focused on Pac-12 sports coverage, the conference could poach four more programs, thus bringing the Big Ten to 20 schools. 

The Trojans and Bruins will join the Big Ten starting August 2, 2024. Other programs that could eventually join the conference include Cal, Oregon, Stanford and Washington. 

This isn't the first time Washington and Oregon have been linked to the Big Ten. Last season, reports swirled that another conference could persuade both the Huskies and Ducks to leave the Pac-12 for the "right price." According to The Action Network, both Washington and Oregon met with Big Ten officials and held "preliminary discussions" about joining the conference in the future. 

Currently, the Pac-12 is the only remaining Power Five conference in need of a new media rights deal. According to The New York Post, Apple TV had been linked as a partner in terms of a new deal, as well as ION TV. As of this time, neither company has made a "formal offer" for Pac-12 media rights.

Much like the Bruins and Trojans, any deal involving Oregon would likely have to include Washington. As the two largest programs remaining in the Pac-12, both schools would bring in significant revenue to the Big Ten under the new media rights deal. Not to mention, a deal to bring over two more west coast schools would ease travel arrangements for USC and UCLA, while also adding to the conference's plan for westward expansion. 

As for the eight remaining schools, Stanford and Cal have been the trickiest to navigate a permanent home for in the future. Both institutions would meet the AAU requirements to join the Big Ten. In the past, Stanford had been linked to joining the Big Ten, but as a potential partner with Notre Dame. 

The Big Ten isn't the only Power Five conference linked to potential expansion talks. Last season, the Big 12 was in "early talks" with four Pac-12 schools should the conference fall apart. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah could eventually join the Big 12 should all conversations of a media rights deal in the Pac-12 cease. 

As for Washington State and Oregon State, the most ideal location for each program would either be joining the Big 12 or potentially the Mountain West Conference. Several programs, including Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State, have been linked as replacements in the Pac-12.  

Earlier this month, Ohio State announced the cancelation of its home-and-home series with Washington, leading to further speculation that the Huskies could be in play for the Big Ten. Last season, the Southeastern Conference "directed" Georgia and Tennessee to postpone their series with Oklahoma after it was announced the Sooners and Texas would be joining the SEC no later than 2025. 

Both Texas and Oklahoma will depart the Big 12 a year early to join the SEC in 2024. 

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