Oregon, Washington, and the Big Ten — has anything new happened here?
Let’s check in on the world of realignment in the Pac-12.
One reader asked Jon Wilner, “How long before Oregon and Washington leave the Pac-12?”
Wilner’s response serves as, essentially, an update for anyone who is curious about this subject but hasn’t paid very close attention over the past month. Pac-12 football on the field has been the focus. Things have quieted down behind the scenes.
Has anything meaningfully changed the reality which existed in late August, before the 2022 football season began?
“As we have written repeatedly, there is no indication the Big Ten plans to expand again in this contract cycle — meaning the next opportunity for movement would come at the end of the decade.
“Could circumstances change swiftly? Sure. Anything is possible in realignment. But at this point, it doesn’t appear that the Pacific Northwest powers have that option, and they certainly aren’t interested in joining the Big 12. As a result, Oregon and Washington are likely to sign a media deal with the Pac-12, serving as the twin anchors that hold the conference together.
“One more point: The Hotline doesn’t believe the Big Ten’s ultimate goal is to add more West Coast schools.
“Instead, it wants to plant the conference flag in ACC territory, particularly in Florida. Why? Because its primary media partner, Fox, is currently boxed out of the third-most populous state in the country. ESPN dominates the Sunshine State, along with North Carolina and Georgia, through its agreements with the SEC and ACC. Expansion to the southeast makes more sense financially for the Big Ten — and Fox — than additional acquisitions on the West Coast.”
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