For many, what was once the “Power Five” has turned into the “Power Two.”
The Big Ten and the SEC are the two conferences that have stability.
Elsewhere, the Pac-12 is no more, the ACC is stuck in a questionable TV deal and the Big 12 has lost its two flagship programs in Oklahoma and Texas.
But the other two big conferences are going strong. A report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel said this was coming. Thamel reported that the leagues were “set to announce that they are setting up an advisory committee.”
“It’s expected to look at the entire college sports landscape and solutions within it,” Thamel posted to X (formerly Twitter) early Friday afternoon.
Sources: The SEC and Big Ten are set to announce that they are setting up an advisory committee. It’s expected to look at the entire college sports landscape and solutions within it.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 2, 2024
Exciting times are ahead for the Big Ten. Beginning this season, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington will start playing in the league, coming over from the Pac-12.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported that the conferences were working together “find solutions & steer college sports into the future.”
NEWS: Big Ten & SEC are creating a joint advisory group of presidents & ADs in an urgent mission to find solutions & steer college sports into the future.
“Pressures are mounting,” SEC’s Greg Sankey tells @YahooSports. “We are not going to be status quo.”
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 2, 2024
The SEC also released a statement.
“The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference today announced the formation of a joint advisory group of university presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors to address the significant challenges facing college athletics and the opportunities for betterment of the student-athlete experience,” the statement read. “These challenges, including but not limited to recent court decisions, pending litigation, a patchwork of state laws, and complex governance proposals, compel the two conferences to take a leadership role in developing solutions for a sustainable future of college sports.”
“The advisory group will engage with other constituencies as necessary, including consultation with student-athletes and other key leadership groups from within both conferences.”
