Oregon, Washington to join Big Ten in 2024 as Pac-12 stumbles further

The Big Ten officially approved Oregon and Washington as new members, with competition to begin in all sports in 2024-25, the conference announced Friday.

The news comes after a frenzied 36 hours. Early Friday morning, momentum for the two schools had slowed considerably, but then the Pac-12 met to discuss its new media rights deal and its future. Afterward, the Big Ten presidents and chancellors met, and the group eventually agreed to offer official invitations to Oregon and Washington — to become the league’s 17th and 18th members. The invites come a little more than a day after The Athletic reported that the Big Ten presidents authorized commissioner Tony Petitti to pursue expansion, and one week after Colorado left the Pac-12 for its former home conference, the Big 12.

The additions come barely 14 months after the Big Ten welcomed Pac-12 flagship programs USC and UCLA as new members beginning Aug. 2, 2024. That movement launched the Pac-12 into chaos in the aftermath, especially in almost-daily showdowns with the Big 12 over expansion.

The Pac-12’s inability to secure a quality linear media rights contract coupled with the Big 12’s media rights agreement, reached last fall, led many Pac-12 programs to consider leaving the historic conference. It came to a head last week when Colorado announced it would return to the Big 12.

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On Friday night, the Big 12’s presidents and chancellors voted unanimously to admit Arizona, Arizona State and Utah. With the imminent departures, the Pac-12 could become the latest major conference to disintegrate. The most recent examples in football include the Big East (2013) and Southwest (1996) conferences.

What does this mean for Washington, Oregon?

After much speculation last summer and fall that Washington and Oregon would follow USC and UCLA into the Big Ten, the invite has finally come for the northwest universities. It provides a financial and competitive lifeline to both institutions as the Pac-12 collapses. It also gives USC and UCLA a few travel partners closer to their campuses, which could cut down on their number of cross-country trips. — Dochterman

What does this mean for the Big Ten?

The nation’s oldest athletics conference now has 18 members and truly has a national presence. Oregon and Washington both have AAU membership, which is almost a requirement to join the Big Ten. Competitively, both have qualified for the College Football Playoff under its four-team format and have enjoyed success. There are financial questions lingering, such as when both will become vested members and receive equal shares. — Dochterman

(Photo: Joe Robbins / Getty Images)

What does this mean for the Pac-12?

The only chance for the Pac-12 to remain intact was for Washington and Oregon to remain in the conference. Now with USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington heading the Big Ten, Colorado leaving for the Big 12 and Arizona, Arizona State and Utah joining the Buffaloes, only four Pac-12 teams remain. What happens to California, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State? That remains to be seen. — Dochterman

What they are saying

Washington State University president Kirk Schulz and WSU director of athletics Pat Chun released the following statement Friday afternoon: “We are disappointed with the recent decisions by some of our Pac-12 peers. While we had hoped that our membership would remain together, this outcome was always a possibility, and we have been working diligently to determine what is next for Washington State Athletics. We’ve prepared for numerous scenarios, including our current situation. With exceptional student-athletes, a strong Cougar tradition and incredible support from our fans, donors and alumni, we will chart the best path forward together.”

Washington president Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement announcing the move, “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.”

Oregon also released a statement Friday night, saying, “In coming years, the UO will prioritize the long-held traditions, including competition across all sports with Oregon State University.”

The rivals will ultimately have to agree to the events.

Follow our real-time realignment coverage here.

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(Photo: Tom Hauck / Getty Images)