Big Ten has begun preliminary talks to potentially add Oregon, Washington, Cal and Stanford

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The Big Ten has begun exploratory discussions about expanding membership to 18 or even 20 teams, industry sources have told Yahoo Sports. The schools being considered are Oregon and Washington if the league adds two schools, and Cal and Stanford if it wants to move to 20. All four institutions are currently members of the Pac-12.

The discussions are in the very early stages, sources caution. No decision, including on whether to expand or stay put at 16 teams, has been made or is considered imminent.

The Big Ten may also patiently wait to see what happens with other Pac-12 schools and their potential move to the Big 12 before acting at all.

However, ballooning the league to as many 20 teams by adding a six-team West Coast flank – including 2024 arrivals USC and UCLA — is a real possibility. This is especially true if the Pac-12, which dates back to 1915, falls apart in the near future.

A group of four Big Ten university presidents began the preliminary process on Wednesday. The day prior, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff presented a media rights package to his membership that was heavy on games appearing on an Apple Plus subscription streaming service. Revenue estimates were as low as $20 million per year per school.

By comparison, Big Ten schools will receive a minimum of $50 million a year with games mostly appearing on linear television — CBS, Fox and NBC. That number is expected to grow annually. Meanwhile, the Big 12 has a $31.7 million per year package for schools.

Last week, Colorado left the Pac-12 for the Big 12 starting in 2024 without even hearing Kliavkoff’s long-delayed offer. After the presentation, speculation ramped up that Arizona would follow, with Arizona State and Utah potential flip options as well.

With the Pac-12 at risk of splintering, Oregon, Washington, Cal and Stanford renewed their push to the Big Ten, seeking a safe, and far richer harbor, for its athletic programs starting in 2024.

The Big Ten logo is seen on-field at Big Ten football…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-big-ten-has-begun-preliminary-talks-to-potentially-add-oregon-washington-cal-and-stanford-173934989.html?src=rss

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Publish date : 2023-08-02 17:39:34

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