The Big Ten Expands Again: What It Means for College Athletics
Marzell Davis | NILvana Sports
College sports are changing again, and the Big Ten is leading the charge. Earlier this week, the conference confirmed it will add Stanford and Cal beginning in 2026. The move continues the Big Ten’s coast-to-coast growth and adds even more weight to its reputation as one of the most powerful conferences in the country.
This decision follows the Big Ten’s already pulling USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington out of the Pac-12. With Stanford and Cal now set to follow, the conference is positioning itself as a true national brand that stretches far beyond its Midwest roots.
Travel Concerns for Athletes
While expansion looks excellent on paper, it brings new challenges. The biggest concern is travel. It’s one thing for a football team to fly across the country a few times a season, but Olympic sports and non-revenue programs like volleyball, softball, or soccer don’t have the same luxury. A Maryland volleyball player, for example, could now face regular cross-country flights during the season, raising questions about player fatigue and missed class time.
The NCAA often emphasizes student-athlete welfare, but the strain of long-distance travel is hard to ignore. The Big Ten may have to find creative solutions—such as scheduling pods or weekend series to help lighten the load.
Money Drives the Move
Of course, the financial upside is impossible to miss. By adding two respected academic and athletic programs from the Bay Area, the Big Ten strengthens its already massive media partnerships with FOX, NBC, and CBS. The conference now controls television markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and New York. For university presidents and TV executives, this expansion makes perfect sense.
The Pac-12’s Collapse
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 continues to unravel. With Stanford and Cal leaving, only Oregon State and Washington State remain, putting the league’s survival in serious doubt. Once known as the “Conference of Champions,” the Pac-12 is now a shell of what it used to be. The most likely outcome seems to be a merger with the Mountain West or another attempt at rebuilding, but its future looks bleak.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, the Big Ten’s latest expansion shows how much the priorities in college sports have shifted. Tradition and regional rivalries are no longer the driving forces. Instead, conferences are chasing television dollars and broader markets.
For fans, it means adjusting to a new normal. Historic rivalries might fade, new matchups will take their place, and travel demands will test athletes in ways we haven’t seen before. But one thing is clear: the Big Ten is no longer just a Midwest powerhouse; it’s a national conference with influence that stretches from coast to coast.
