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Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce stated on Saturday that the university’s decision to move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, alongside Oregon, was not solely driven by financial considerations. Cauce highlighted a variety of factors contributing to the decision, including the dissatisfaction with the proposed TV rights deal between the Pac-12 and Apple, which lacked the desired long-term stability.
Cauce emphasized the need for national visibility and exposure for the university’s players, as well as stability and a reliable future. She expressed disappointment with the evolving nature of the discussed TV deal and praised the opportunities and stability offered by the Big Ten as unparalleled.
While Cauce acknowledged the heart-wrenching nature of the decision, she emphasized the extensive efforts made over the past year to find a viable path that would enable the university to remain in the conference.
Arizona State President Michael Crow, on the other hand, presented a different perspective regarding their departure to the Big 12. Crow expressed significant interest in the Apple deal, which promised instantaneous digitization of ASU’s football and basketball games, while also enhancing the overall viewing experience and the athletes’ ability to analyze game footage for personal development.
Crow acknowledged the risk involved but emphasized the enormous opportunities presented by the Apple deal. He noted the internal conflict between tradition and modern advancements that emerged within the schools, ultimately leading to a polarizing and back-and-forth decision-making process.
Cauce and Washington’s athletic director, Jennifer Cohen, made it clear that they were not in favor of the Apple deal. They expected it to be one of several potential TV agreements to consider, rather than the sole option as it turned out to be.
Cauce voiced her belief that factors beyond Commissioner George Kliavkoff’s control were responsible for the deals falling apart. She stressed the university’s need for certainty and the challenging circumstances they had faced due to prolonged uncertainties.
The sudden departure of Oregon and Washington prompted other schools, such as ASU, to make their own decisions about their future. Crow noticed the absence of two schools during a pivotal meeting, which led him to conclude that the conference was no longer sustainable.
Crow stated the necessity of being in a viable conference to connect with a broader audience and highlighted the destabilizing impact of Colorado’s recent shift to the Big 12. Once Oregon and Washington made their decision to leave, ASU felt compelled to seek a secure conference, leading them to join the Big 12 alongside Arizona and Utah.
Various factors, including influential media entities, played a role in the decision-making process. Despite fighting for the Pac-12 until the end, ASU athletic director Ray Anderson admitted that staying in the conference became untenable.
While acknowledging the challenges and the need for adaptability, Cohen expressed confidence in the resources and support provided by the Big Ten. The Huskies’ sudden move evoked mixed feelings of melancholy for leaving the Pac-12 and excitement for the new opportunities that lie ahead.
“I’ll be the first to say this is not perfect,” Cohen acknowledged. “There will be challenges. This does require a lot of change and adaptability. However, we firmly believe in the agreement we have with the Big Ten, which provides the necessary resources to navigate these challenges, including travel costs and additional support for our student-athletes to ensure their success in the Big Ten.”
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