UCLA's reason for Big Ten move revealed

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There was a lot of confusion last week when it was announced that USC and UCLA would be leaving the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten. However, it appears that the answer for why they did it, at least as far as UCLA is concerned, is money. Of course, it is.

According to a report by Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, “Debt-laden UCLA was on a grim trajectory to cut sports until it cashed in on a move to the Big Ten.”

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Per the report, UCLA’s athletic department has found itself in the hole of more than $100 million in debt. Given the school’s poor football attendance and the lack of notable payouts from media rights deals, it didn’t appear as though the school would be able to close that gap if it remained in the Pac-12. Hence, the promise of $100 million per year from the Big Ten, not to mention way more when that league negotiates its new media right deal, was simply too much to pass up.

“If you love Olympic sports, you should be a fan of this move,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond told The LA Times. “When your program is in significant debt, it’s difficult just to maintain, never mind to invest. This not only preserves the programs now — which was not a given — but also will allow us to invest in them. This move allows us to reimagine what UCLA athletics can be with more strategic investment and resources.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/uclas-reason-for-big-ten-move-revealed/ar-AAZeM1J