The Big Ten confirmed Friday that Oregon and Washington will join the conference, bringing the membership of the league to 18 schools.
The departures from the Pac-12 will provide greater financial security for both schools and further the Big Ten's westward expansion. The Ducks and Huskies are joining for the 2024 football season at the same time as current Pac-12 bretheren Southern California and UCLA, who announced their departure last year. No other Football Bowl Subdivision conference currently has more than 16 teams.
“I’m thrilled that the University of Oregon has the opportunity to join the nation's preeminent academic-athletic conference,” Oregon president Karl Scholz said in a statement. “Our student-athletes will participate at the highest level of collegiate athletic competition, and our alumni, friends and fans will be able to carry the spirit of Oregon across the country.”
"We are proud of our rich history with the Pac-12 and for more than a year have worked hard to find a viable path that would keep it together. I have tremendous admiration and respect for my Pac-12 colleagues. Ultimately, however, the opportunities and stability offered by the Big Ten are unmatched," Washington president Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement.
This latest round of conference realignment also strongly indicates the eventual demise of the Pac-12, which lost Colorado back to the Big 12 last week and saw Arizona, Arizona State and Utah leave for the Big 12 later Friday.
“We are disappointed with the recent decisions by some of our Pac-12 peers," Washington State president Kirk Schulz and athletics director Pat Chun said in a statement after the Washington and Oregon moves were announced.
"While we had hoped that our membership would remain together, this outcome was always a possibility, and we have been working diligently to determine what is next for Washington State athletics. We’ve prepared for numerous scenarios, including our current situation. With exceptional student-athletes, a strong Cougar tradition and incredible support from our fans, donors and alumni, we will chart the best path forward together.”
With the departures of Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah, the Pac-12 currently has just four teams for 2024: California, Oregon State, Stanford and Washington State.
"Today's news is incredibly disappointing for student-athletes, fans, alumni and staff of the Pac-12 who cherish the over 100-year history, tradition and rivalries of the Conference of Champions," the Pac-12 said in a statement.
"We remain focused on securing the best possible future for each of our member universities."
Given the uncertainty, however, the remaining may likely pursue other opportunities. Some could be future options in the Big Ten, such as Stanford and California. Stanford could also pursue independent status. They could also pursue a merger with teams from the Mountain West.
How the Big Ten has evolved over the years
The Big Ten was founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives in 1896. The league hit 10 members when Ohio State entered the conference in 1912, joining Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin and the University of Chicago.
Chicago left the league in 1940 and Michigan State was added in 1950.
The league stayed at 10 teams until Penn State joined the league in 1993.
Membership grew to 12 teams when Nebraska entered from the Big 12 in 2011.
Rutgers and Maryland increased the total schools to 14 in 2014.
Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington will begin play in 2024, making the Big Ten the first major conference with 18 members.
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