09-21-2022, 11:40 AM
Just piecing some things together, it seemed to me the chances of UCLA being blocked or otherwise not going to the B1G were a lot bigger than most people thought could possibly be the case. The fact the Pac is seeing rights deals that include UCLA is kind of remarkable, and is the best evidence yet the Bruins staying in the Pac is a real possibility.
Poor USC if true. I say that with tongue firmly planted to cheek, but seriously, if UCLA doesn't go, the west coast relevance of the conference is intact in a way that BiG certainly did not want to be the case. USC may be the big dog, but if it is in a conference that has Iowa and Nebraska, while UCLA is in one with Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, its relevance on the west coast will take a hit. That may not mean anything for media rights bean counters, but it will for high school athletes who prefer to stay close to home and not face dreadful travel obligations.
Poor USC if true. I say that with tongue firmly planted to cheek, but seriously, if UCLA doesn't go, the west coast relevance of the conference is intact in a way that BiG certainly did not want to be the case. USC may be the big dog, but if it is in a conference that has Iowa and Nebraska, while UCLA is in one with Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, its relevance on the west coast will take a hit. That may not mean anything for media rights bean counters, but it will for high school athletes who prefer to stay close to home and not face dreadful travel obligations.