UCLA shocked many this summer when it was announced that they and USC were bound for the Big Ten Conference. The move of course means they are fleeing the rest of the California schools in the Pac-12 for “greener pastures” with a heavy emphasis on green.
At the time, the move sparked a lot of comments and discourse. Reactions to the move came from all over the place, from TV personalities, jokes, and other commentaries. And now, one UCLA luminary has spoken out, though not in defense of the school.
Bruins basketball legend Bill Walton made sure to have his voice heard on the matter, and he wasn’t happy.
Bill Walton is not happy with UCLA.@BillWalton speaks out: https://t.co/RZFExwvJ3A
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) November 1, 2022
“I am not in favor of UCLA’s recent announced decision to leave the Pac-12 Conference of Champions,” wrote Walton in a statement published by longtime west coast reporter John Canzano. Walton continued, “nor their desire to join the Big 10, I don’t support it, I hope it does not happen.”
Walton would go on to pick apart the decision, criticizing it and believing it was not in anyone’s best interests to occur. He, much like Dick Vitale, believed the decision was all rooted in two things: Football and money.
With anything regarding Bill Walton, there’s a reaction that follows. Several others chimed in on this with varied results:
Absolute gold from noted logician Bill Walton. https://t.co/gtc6jgsSK4 pic.twitter.com/Q5IjC9XUtj
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) November 1, 2022
he's right lol https://t.co/HEoHzcUTrN
— portal quarry (@crimsonquarry) November 1, 2022
I'm glad Walton has spoken his mind about UCLA to the Big Ten. He did not want to during the summer when I contacted him after the news broke. Know this: he is relentlessly positive, so being this critical is further illustration (beyond his words) how he really feels. https://t.co/wYvvFSZJlr
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 1, 2022
UCLA icon and proud Californian Bill Walton makes great points against UCLA moving to the Big 10.
He has never met anyone “who have claimed economic hardship and limitations in Los Angeles,
and that the solution lies in the Midwest.” https://t.co/vKZWehiUYc— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) November 1, 2022
The Pac-12 Commissioner said last week he's spoken to dozens of people around UCLA and USC who aren't in favor of the move to the Big Ten.
He was mocked.
Well, today, maybe the most prominent UCLA athletics alum in America came out and agreed with him. https://t.co/lge4YPc7Cd
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 1, 2022
