As UCLA plans its move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten in 2024, head basketball coach Mick Cronin wants one thing made clear — it's all about the money.
Speaking to reported on Thursday, Cronin said people don't really understand the underlying reasons for the recent shakeup in college sports.
“None of it is in the best interest of the student-athlete, no matter what anybody says,” Cronin said. “It’s in the best interest of more money to cover the bills. That’s it," Cronin said, according to USA Today. "This all happened because of money, that’s just a reality. It’s not all because of football."
Cronin said the end is nowhere near in sight, as he believes colleges will soon have to pay athletes to compete.
“Where's this going to be in five years when whenever the ruling comes down, you got to pay the revenue players? Then where's that money coming from?” he said. "We’ve already exhausted all the media rights money."
Cronin went so far as to reference late Bruins coach John Wooden, saying the legend would be disappointed if he could see what's happening.
“He would say, ‘What is going on?' ” Cronin said. “'What do you mean there’s no more Pac-12? What, what, what do you mean this school’s in that conference, that school’s in this conference?’”
