Packing Their Bags: Pac-12 Faces Challenging Future As Schools Depart

By Barry Janoff

August 4, 2023: Amid what has been a mountain of changes in the college football landscape, the Pac-12 could be buried under the avalanche of members leaving for greener pastures.

The Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies are leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten for the 2024-25 season. Colorado said last week it was leaving for the Big 12.

The Big 12 is also adding Pac-12 members Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State and Utah.

USC and UCLA last year said they would leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. In all, eight schools will be leaving.

Oregon, Washington are both charter members of the Pac-12 dating back to 1915, along with UC Berkley and Oregon State, formed as the Pacific Coast Conference.

According to a statement from the Pac-12 Conference, "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.

“We remain focused on securing the best possible future for each of our member universities."

“I’m thrilled that the University of Oregon has the opportunity to join the nation's preeminent academic-athletic conference,” school president Karl Scholz, said via the University, which will join the Big Ten Conference in 2024.

“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.”

The Big Ten Conference voted Friday to accept Oregon effective August 2, 2024. UOregon will remain in the Pac-12 Conference for the duration of the Pac-12's existing media rights agreements.

“The connections we will make with some of the leading research institutions in the world will provide new opportunities for our students, staff, faculty, and university stakeholders,” said Scholz. “The agreement we’ve reached with the Big Ten Conference will help ensure a bright future for the University of Oregon. We are grateful and look forward to a long, robust partnership."

“This new alliance puts University of Oregon student-athletes on a national stage,” director of intercollegiate athletics Rob Mullens said via the school.

“Accepting membership into the Big Ten Conference is a transformational opportunity for the University of Oregon to change the short and long-term trajectory of our university and athletics department

““The stability and exposure of joining the Big Ten is of great benefit to the University of Oregon, and we are grateful to the Big Ten presidents and chancellors for accepting our application to join the conference.

“We look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete in this conference, which includes many of the best programs in the nation in every sport.”

According to UArizona president Robert Robbins said via the school regarding the University's decision to join the Big 12 Conference. “I am pleased to share that the University of Arizona will join the Big 12 Conference in all sports beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year.

“As many of you know, athletics serves as the front porch for the University of Arizona, as it is a rallying point for alumni and fans and creates pride in our community both here in Arizona and around the world. Arizona Athletics is positioned well for long-term success, as our goal always was to secure a bright future for our student-athletes, fans and the entire university community.

The University of Washington will join the Big Ten Conference, leaving the Pac-12 Conference, effective in August 2024, said UWashington president Ana Mari Cauce via the school.

“The Big Ten is a thriving conference with strong athletic and academic traditions, and we are excited and confident about competing at the highest level on a national stage,” Cauce said. “My top priority must be to do what is best for our student-athletes and our University, and this move will help ensure a strong future for our athletics program.”

Cauce said UWashington is “committed to preserving the rich tradition of the Apple Cup rivalry with Washington State University in all sports, including football.

“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.

“Even with this move, we remain committed to the Apple Cup and to competing with WSU across all of our sports.”

Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, the Big Ten Conference will be comprised of 18 members: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin.

"We are excited to welcome the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten Conference,” in addition to USC and UCLA, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said via the organization.

“We look forward to building long-lasting relationships with the universities, administrators and staff, student-athletes, coaches and fans. Both institutions feature a combination of academic and athletic excellence that will prove a great fit for our future."

Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, the Big 12 Conference will be comprised of 16 members: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah and West Virginia.

"We are thrilled to welcome Arizona, Arizona State and Utah to the Big 12," commissioner Brett Yormark said via the Conference.

"The Conference is gaining three premier institutions both academically and athletically, and the entire Big 12 looks forward to working alongside their presidents, athletic directors, student-athletes and administrators."

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