UCLA receives all-clear from board of regents for move to B1G in 2024

UCLA’s move from the Pac-12 to the B1G cleared its largest hurdle on Wednesday.

The University of California’s Board of Regents voted to recommend the university’s departure in 2024 “provided [the] Bruins take mitigation measures involving travel and other athlete well-being issues,” per the Los Angeles Times’ Ben Bolch.

The travel measures are necessary due to the breadth of the expanded B1G, which is set to have USC added as well. Currently, the furthest-west B1G institution is the University of Nebraska, over 1,500 miles from Los Angeles. The furthest-east is Rutgers, which makes for a cross-country road trip for at least several athletic programs.

According to the New York Times’ Billy Witz, “financial guarantees that would include mental health” were part of the board of regents’ request for the B1G in order for the move take place.

UCLA will also have to a pay an annual subsidy of $2 million to $10 million to the University of California, Berkeley as a result of its move, “to enhance student-athlete support at that campus”, colloquially known as the “Berkeley tax”.

UCLA’s departure for the B1G ends a nearly century-long affiliation with the Pac-12 in both its past and present forms. The Bruins joined the Pacific Coast Conference in 1928.

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

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.