The UC Regents board made a massive recommendation on Wednesday regarding UCLA.
The board recommended that UCLA may pursue the Big Ten from their spot in the Pac-12 as anticipated. This decision comes after a lengthy proceeding in which the regents once threatened to block the Los Angeles-based university from moving to the Big Ten due to financial ramifications for Cal Berkeley.
Ben Bolch of the LA Times initially reported on the ruling. Bolch tweeted Wednesday, “UC regents give UCLA the A-OK to join Big Ten provided Bruins take mitigation measures involving travel and other athlete well-being issues.”
UC regents give UCLA the A-OK to join Big Ten provided Bruins take mitigation measures involving travel and other athlete well-being issues.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) December 14, 2022
The move to the Big Ten won’t be a free one. They will reportedly have to make major concessions, with one including Cal. The board recommended that the university pay a subsidy to Cal in the $2 million-$5 million range.
Jon Wilner reported, “The UC Regents chair and UCOP president are recommending letting UCLA move to the Big Ten and revisiting the issue once the Pac-12 has a media deal, with possible 2-5 million subsidy for Cal.”
The UC Regents chair and UCOP president are recommending letting UCLA move to the Big Ten and revisiting the issue once the Pac-12 has a media deal, with possible 2-5 million subsidy for Calhttps://t.co/I2pdtEObjM pic.twitter.com/WrvdE49ZeQ
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) December 15, 2022
Later, Billy Witz of the New York Times reported on the meeting. Witz reported similar details and then on the vote, which was approved greatly. Witz tweeted, “UCLA move approved, 11-5.”
The UC Regents are in closed session. A scenario they are considering is allowing UCLA to leave for the Big Ten, but putting into writing financial guarantees that would address mental health, academic, travel burdens. Also under consideration but less certain – a "Berkeley tax."
— Billy Witz (@billywitz) December 14, 2022
This move will obviously have huge ramifications for the NCAA. UCLA is one of the premier Pac-12 schools and with them and USC set to depart, the conference will look much different. Plus, UCLA will now be in the Big Ten. Talk about different.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022