USC, UCLA Officially Announce Move to Big Ten

USC and UCLA officially announced their landscape-shifting move to the Big Ten from the Pac-12 on Thursday evening with press releases from both athletic directors.

The two schools will join the new conference in 2024 after the Big Ten presidents and chancellors voted accept the new additions, sources told Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.

In USC’s statement, AD Mike Bohn said the school thought the Big Ten was the ideal conference for them for a host of reasons.

“Ultimately, the Big Ten is the best home for USC and Trojan athletics as we move into the new world of collegiate sports,” Bohn said. “We are excited that our values align with the league’s member institutions. We also will benefit from the stability and strength of the conference; the athletic caliber of Big Ten institutions; the increased visibility, exposure, and resources the conference will bring our student-athletes and programs; and the ability to expand engagement with our passionate alumni nationwide.”

UCLA released a combined letter from the school’s chancellor Gene Block and athletic director Martin Jarmond.

“We recognize these are big changes,” the letter reads. “We value the talent and dedication of our student-athletes as well as the passion of Bruins fans far and wide. The best way to respect that is to protect our program from the great uncertainty it would face if we did not make this transition. Because of our unique circumstances, we believe this is the right move for the UCLA Bruins and the right time. We hope you will share our enthusiasm as we take this step to preserve the legacy, tradition and high standards that have epitomized the UCLA Bruins for the century that has passed and the centuries that lie ahead.”

Block and Jarmond mentioned multiple reasons why they felt the move was essential, saying they believe the will get better national television times and that the student athletes will receive additional resources that the Big Ten offers. Additionally, they mention how they will still be able preserve their rivalry series with USC.