UCLA and USC shook college football and college athletics to its core with the news that they were leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten last month. On Wednesday, California governor Gavin Newsom demanded answers from UCLA regarding the move. Newsom released a statement to the Los Angeles Times at the meeting of the University of California Board of Regents in San Francisco. ESPN writer Paolo Uggetti captured his comments.
“The first duty of every public university is to the people — especially students… 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.”
The comments and questions call out UCLA for appearing to stab the conference and its fellow members in the back. This move alongside USC joining the Big Ten very likely could spell the end of the Pac-12's existence. For now, the remaining schools have met and agreed to stay in the Pac-12. But losing the conference's two biggest brands is likely to crush its ability to command advertising and television rights.
It's interesting to note that the California governor only called out UCLA and left USC out of it. That is likely because USC is a private university and can make whatever decisions it wants. UCLA on the other hand is a public university a part of the UC system. That includes UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irving, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC San Francisco.
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