College football expansion update: Big Ten has vetted up to 10 teams

After adding USC and UCLA, the Big Ten is keeping its options open for the next possible phase of college football conference expansion

The historic college football expansion process could take some notable turns soon with speculation surrounding teams in the Pac-12, interest from the Big 12 in a number of schools, and the continued questions around what the Big Ten wants to do next after adding USC and UCLA, who are set to join the league in 2024.

Now as part of that ongoing process, it appears the Big Ten is doing its due diligence on potential future members of the conference, vetting up to 10 teams from across the country, according to new speculation.

Those teams include: Oregon, Washington, Miami, North Carolina, Duke, Utah, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Cal, and Stanford.

By adding two teams in the Los Angeles area, the Big Ten has already proven it doesn't regard geographical position as a relevant measure of interest, so the league's interest in teams from all around the nation isn't surprising.

Big Ten interest up to now

Oregon and Washington stick out as the two more likely options for the Big Ten, as the schools have already spoken with representatives from that conference about possible expansion, albeit in an informal setting with nothing set down as actual plans. 

But if anything should happen to the cohesion of the existing Pac-12, these would be the two primary remaining West Coast brands the Big Ten would most want to add, representing passionate fan bases, quality football, and a larger media presence.

Plus, they would take some of the pressure off the Big Ten's future football schedule, which will have teams traveling across the country on a regular basis as the two L.A. teams make their way to the Midwest, and vice versa. Having two schools in the Pacific Northwest would ease some of that travel load and preserve rivalries.

Two historic rivals

Stanford makes some sense considering its academic standing, the school's wealthy and prominent alumni base, and its presence in the Bay Area media market. 

A market it shares with Cal, which would likely want to keep its rivalry with Stanford, as well, making it a possible addition. The two have played in The Big Game since 1892.

Trouble with ACC speculation

But the addition of any ACC team seems the least likely right now given that conference's apparently air-tight grant of rights agreement that runs through 2036. 

That deal includes a reported massive $120 million exit fee for teams wanting to get out before then, plus the league would get to keep the media rights to those departing teams' home football games.

That led seven ACC members to do some recon work behind the scenes to see if there was a way out of the deal.

And, seeing there likely wasn't one, they then asked the conference to spread its money out a little more in their direction, with the ACC responding with a promise to do just that, though exactly how remains a question.

What's next?

That does appear to be anyone's guess, but with the Big 12 making reported overtures to schools including current Pac-12 member Colorado, in addition to its interest in expanding its basketball portfolio with Gonzaga and potentially UConn, it's clear that the expansion process isn't done just yet.

(Report)

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