It’s official: Big Ten votes to admit USC, UCLA

Well, that didn’t take long.

Just hours after word leaked that Pac-12 darlings USC and UCLA were seeking bids to join the Big Ten Conference, the two Los Angeles-based schools were formally admitted.

Chancellors and presidents of the 14 Big Ten schools unanimously voted Thursday evening to admit the schools in 2024, the conference announced. In a statement, the league says commissioner Kevin Warren received written applications from both schools.

The deal calls for USC and UCLA to take part in all Big Ten sports.

“As the national leader in academics and athletics for over 126 years, the Big Ten Conference has historically evaluated its membership with the collective goal to forward the academic and athletic mission for student-athletes under the umbrella of higher education,” Warren said in the release. “The unanimous vote today signifies the deep respect and welcoming culture our entire conference has for the University of Southern California, under the leadership of President Carol Folt, and the University of California, Los Angeles, under the leadership of Chancellor Gene Block.

“I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of our campus leadership, athletics directors and Council of Presidents and Chancellors who recognize the changing landscape of college athletics, methodically reviewed each request, and took appropriate action based on our consensus.”

More: What they’re saying nationally about USC, UCLA joining Big Ten

In separate statements, USC said the move would “position USC and its student-athletes for long-term success in both athletics and academics,” while UCLA chancellor Gene D. Block said in a statement that Big Ten membership protected the school from the “great uncertainty it would face if we did not make this transition.”

The Pac-12 Conference has been suffering from financial strain in recent years, in part because of an underfunded TV rights agreement, with member institutions receiving less money than schools in the Big Ten or SEC. The Pac-12 reacted late Thursday, with the office saying it was “surprised and disappointed by the news” but vowed to continue with its 10 remaining members.

USC and UCLA had been part of the conference since the 1920s, when it was known as the Pacific Coast Conference.

“We’ve long been known as the Conference of Champions, and we’re unwavering in our commitment to extend that title,” the statement reads. “We will continue to develop and innovative programs that directly benefit our member institutions, and we look forward to partnering with current and potential members to pioneer the future of college athletics together.”

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