UCLA’s financial windfall for moving to the Big Ten Conference just got a little bit smaller.
A University of California Board of Regents panel approved a plan where Cal will be paid $10 million a year from its athletic rival for at least the next three years.
Both schools are members of California’s 10-school UC system, with Cal having objected to UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, saying it would be hurt financially through the dissolution of the Pacific-12 Conference.
The $10 million payments, which will run through at least the 2026–27 school year, will help Cal offset losses from media rights. The board is expected to review the payment plan after three years.
According to reports, UCLA will be paid $60 million per year in the Big Ten. Cal reportedly will be paid $11 million per year over its first seven years in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Not long after UCLA and Southern California elected to move out of the Pac-12, Colorado departed for the Big 12, followed by Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah, which also went to the Big 12. Cal and Stanford ultimately left for the ACC. In a separate move, Oregon and Washington also agreed to join the Big Ten.
Only two schools—Oregon State and Washington State—remained in the Pac-12 when the exodus was complete. The Pac-12 will not be in operation for the foreseeable future, with Oregon State and Washington State to be paid a combined $65 million from the 10 departing schools.
