Big 10 accepts applications for USC, UCLA to join conference

USC and UCLA of the Pac-12 conference have finalized plans to join the Big 10 conference in the 2024 athletic season.

Big Ten presidents and athletic directors met Wednesday night to discuss adding USC and UCLA to the league, according to The Athletic.

“Everything is on the table,” a Pac-12 source tells Norlander.

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In a statement from the Ohio State University, Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, President, and Gene Smith, Senior Vice President, and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director, said they are excited about the opportunity.

“We are excited about the opportunity this new partnership represents for The Ohio State University and for our student-athletes to compete with their peers from two storied athletics programs. USC and UCLA are leading research universities that will enhance the Big Ten Conference in the classroom and on the field of competition. More than 25,000 alumni of Buckeye Nation call the state of California home and will soon have the chance to deepen their connections to the student-athletes who run, pass, swim and play in the sports they love.”

The move would mean the Big Ten would transform from largely a Midwest conference to one that extends to the West Coast and is expected to include all sports except beach volleyball, a source told The Los Angeles Times.

USC and UCLA would bring the Big Ten to a total of 16 teams, the same number as the SEC once Texas and Oklahoma enter their fold. The ACC has 14 teams, while the Big 12 will settle at 12 with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF in the fold after UT and OU depart.

This acquisition will be a significant coup for fourth-year Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, the first Power Five boss to cancel the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Jose Mercury-News’ Jon Wilner first reported that USC and UCLA were planning to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.

The last time the Big Ten expanded was when Rutgers and Maryland joined the conference in 2014.

This is a developing report. WHIO.com will update it as we learn more.

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