California governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he demands, on behalf of the public, an explanation for just how UCLA's move from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big Ten will be beneficial for not just student-athletes but the history of the Bruins' partnership with UC Berkeley.
"The first duty of every public university is to the people -- especially students," Newsom said at Wednesday's meeting of the University of California Board of Regents in San Francisco, according to ESPN, which cited a Los Angeles Times report. "UCLA must clearly explain to the public how this deal will improve the experience for all its student-athletes, will honor its century-old partnership with UC Berkeley, and will preserve the histories, rivalries, and traditions that enrich our communities."
UCLA said it would not comment on Newsom's remarks on Wednesday.
The announcement by UCLA and USC last month that they would move to the Big Ten in 2024 was a shock to the college football world, as it strengthened one conference and left the Pac-12 and its members in a vulnerable position. The Pac-12 has since announced it is willing to expand and will begin negotiations for a new media rights agreement. While USC is a private institution, UCLA's status as a public school raised eyebrows regarding the move as a school under the University of California system.
"I read about it. Is it a good idea? Did we have a chance to discuss the merits [of the decision]?" Newsom told Fox 11 Los Angeles last week, according to ESPN. "I'm not aware anyone did. So it was done in isolation. It was done without regental oversight or support. It was done without any consideration to my knowledge."
The University of California said decisions related to athletics are executed at the campus level.
"UCLA leadership informed [University of California] President [Dr. Michael] Drake that discussions between UCLA and the Big Ten were occurring but he was not involved at all in those discussions or in any negotiations," a spokesperson for the University of California Office of the President told ESPN in an email. "... Decisions related to athletics are formulated and executed at the campus level. There is no requirement for a decision from the University of California Board of Regents or the Office of the President."
The financial benefits that come with a move to the Big Ten are evident; chief among them is what is expected to be an exorbitant TV rights deal, which would help UCLA overcome what has been reported to be a three-year debt of more than $100 million. It also would allow UCLA to keep Olympic sports.
"I inherited a deficit with UCLA athletics," Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond told ESPN following the announced move to the Big Ten. "So when you have a significant financial challenge, it's difficult to just maintain, never mind to invest. This move not only preserves the programs we have now but also allows us to invest in them in levels that can lead to more competitive success."
In statements following the announcement of the move, Jarmond and UCLA chancellor Gene Block also cited more exposure — and thus more name, image and likeness opportunities for UCLA athletes — as one of the various reasons why the program made the move to the Big Ten.
Yet despite UCLA's ability to make this decision on its own, Newsom appears to believe that the ripple effect could be as damaging for UC Berkeley — which will inevitably receive less money as the Pac-12's media deal diminishes in value — as it will be beneficial for UCLA, reported ESPN's Paolo Uggetti.
According to the Times, an idea that has been floated includes the regents imposing an exit fee that UCLA would have to pay to UC Berkeley or, in another case, having UCLA share the ensuing Big Ten TV revenue windfall with UC Berkeley.
