Sources: Big Ten okay ‘d to hunt Oregon, UW includes

• Pete Thamel, ESPNAug 3, 2023, 04:26 PM ET

Big 10 presidents and chancellors fulfilled early Thursday early morning and authorized commissioner Tony Petitti to explore adding Oregon and Washington in growth as prospective conference members, sources told ESPN.Petitti was entrusted

with narrowing his focus to those schools, as unpredictability surrounds the Pac-12’s future, and bringing the presidents back more information on the possible additions. No deals have been made nor was a vote taken, sources told ESPN, as there would remain substantial political roadblocks to the 2 schools being added.The Big 10 explored including Oregon and Washington in the months following the addition of USC and UCLA, sources told ESPN, however that quest ended in part because of problems in funding the schools at a complete share. This time around, sources informed ESPN, the schools would be provided just a partial share.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The excess stock of tv games possibly might be

covered by one of

the league

‘s four existing television partnerships– FOX, CBS, NBC or the Huge 10 Network.Sources cautioned Thursday that remaining issues would require to be dealt with for the schools to receive a Big 10 invitation. First, Big 10 leaders have been reluctant to entirely wipe the Pac-12 off the map. The Big 10’s addition of USC and UCLA started the Pac-12’s present spiral, which also has been fueled by Colorado’s decision last week to go to the Big 12. However this advancement would be a fatal blow.The idea of calling checkmate is concerning to Big 10 leaders, sources informed ESPN. Part of Petitti’s task is to keep an eye on as

the future of the Pac-12 plays out.

If schools such as Arizona, Arizona State and Utah leave for the Huge 12, the relocation would become much easier for Big 10 decision-makers. Other headwinds remain.USC might not be thrilled with the additions, as part of the appeal of the Trojans and Bruins concerning the Huge 10 was the appeal of both schools being the only members on the West Coast.

In theory, that secures the Los Angeles recruiting market and enhances the recruiting pitch to West Coast prospects. This was not a worked out part of the offer, sources informed ESPN, however it was something valued. While the Los Angeles schools do not have a vote yet since they aren’t officially members until the 2024-25 academic year, there’s still political ground to cover on that issue.Also, and of more immediate significance, the appeal of the possible relocate to the existing Big Ten schools may not substantial. There would be an uptick in travel expenses, but there’s no instant warranties that the Big

10 programs would make any more cash– certainly not substantially more– from the additions.The potential of Oregon and Washington being courted by the Big Ten belongs to a complex matrix as the Pac-12’s future is being sorted out. Board meetings covering the futures of Washington, Arizona and Arizona State are arranged for Thursday night.Sources indicated to ESPN on Thursday afternoon that there are myriad instructions on how everything could play out in the big picture, as four of the 5 significant conferences deal with substantial expansion concerns.