USC and UCLA’s decision to join the Big Ten has taken the college sports landscape by storm, with mixed reactions coming from many surrounding the move.
Longtime college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has made his opinion on the matter very clear, and he is not too excited about the move.
Vitale took to social media on Friday to voice his frustrations with the significant change. He said it isn’t fair to future USC and UCLA opponents in the Big Ten to have to travel such a distance to compete against them, especially in sports other than football.
“Thinking about UCLA & USC moving to the Big Ten – is it fair for the athletes in baseball, lacrosse, tennis, swimming, soccer, etc. traveling to play UCLA/USC. Does anybody care? The only thing that matters is Cash Cash $$$ baby.”
Thinking about UCLA & USC moving to @B1Gfootball – is it fair for the athletes in baseball , lacrosse , tennis swimming , soccer etc traveling to play UCLA / USC / does anybody care? The only thing that matters is Cash Cash $$$ baby .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 2, 2022
It certainly seems like Vitale is correct and this is a move mostly for money.
According to Matt Bonesteel of The Washington Post, USC and UCLA will likely make around $80 million annually by joining the Big Ten. That could become even higher depending on how the Big Ten’s current television contract negotiations play out.
Geographically, the move obviously makes no sense. But it is the latest move of conference realignment, which is be becoming more and more prevalent in college sports.
The Big Ten may not be done adding more teams. There are reports that they are also considering adding Washington, Oregon, and Notre Dame.
The fact of the matter is whether or not Vitale or anyone else likes it, it certainly looks like collegiate sports are heading towards a number of stacked conferences with teams from all regions.
[Dick Vitale on Twitter]
