Money talks
UCLA is headed to the Big Ten, after receiving approval from the University of California regents, but the approval comes with a stipulation.
As part of the board’s decision UCLA will to provide a subsidy to Cal-Berkekley in the range of $2 million to $10 million once the Pac-12 deal is secured, depending on the amount of the deal to enhance
.student athlete support on that campus.
The Bruins, whose athletic budget was $52.5 million in the red, figures to make between $60-$70 million in a TV rights deal. The Big Ten signed a seven-year $7 billion media deal with Fox, CBS and NBC. UCLA AD Martin Jarmond also said it was based on creating new competitive opportunities on a bigger national media platform.
Speaking in Las Vegas last week, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff admitted the Pac-12 was the only major conference without a deal, but expressed optimism in getting a lucrative deal done early in 2023.
The Big Ten now has major coast to coast markets from new York and Washington with Rutgers and Maryland to Chicago with Northwestern and Los Angeles with UCLA and USC
Not everyone was happy with the decision.’
Bill Walton, the former UCLA great and ESPN analyst, was outspoken in his disapproval of the realignment as was the National College Players Association– run by former UCLA playuer Ramogi Huma– which cited the effort extra travel would
have on the student’s academics and mental health. UCLA chancellor Carol Christ had also voiced her dissent, saying the move would further a professionalixation of college athletics. The decision by UCLA and USC to leave would also make away the LA market which would lower the value of any media deal.
UCLA came to the meeting prepared, providing the regents a document outlining the school’s financial plans for travel, academic support, mental health serives, nutrition involved in switching conferences, as well as a survey of 111 athletes with their thoughts on moving. The school has said it intends an extra $10 million in resources for athletes due to the move.
“You’re not playing at Rutgers every week,” Jarmond said.
With UCLA and USC off the board, the Pac-12 will likely explore expansion with schools like San Diego State and UNLV.
