Junior Adams downplays impact of final season in the Pac-12 on upcoming year

Oregon has one last run to make things happen in the Pac-12 before heading off to the Big Ten next year. However, Junior Adams isn’t at all worried about the impact that that move could have on their upcoming season.

Adams addressed their shift when it came to conference realignment in a media availability last week at fall camp. He said that that decision’s ramifications are too far in the future considering what the Ducks are trying to focus on in the here and now.

“One thing that we really care about is just being in the present and being where our feet are,” Adams said

“We’re going to take it day by day,” said Adams. “Tomorrow is practice four and that’s what we’re concerned with.”

Oregon has been a Pac school since 1968 when the conference the Pac-8. Now, after over half a century of allegiance to the league, they, along with Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah, dealt the Conference of Champions their most catastrophic blow yet.

Still, that’s not of concern for the staff and players that will take the field for Oregon this year. They’re focused on what’s going on in Eugene in the here and now and will worry about the overarching impacts of their move to the Big Ten in a year from now.

McElroy: Oregon, Washington joining the Big Ten was a no-brainer

Greg McElroy believes Washington and Oregon’s decision to join the Big Ten was easy. Like many things, the decision seemingly came back to money.

“The average Big Ten payout is going to be north of $70 million per school,” McElroy said. “You’re getting Oregon and Washington for $30 million a year, roughly. And then that increases $1 million per year, up until the end of this original deal.

“Remember, this Big Ten deal lasts for seven seasons. On a 10-year average, the average distribution for both Oregon and Washington will be $50 million,” McElroy said. “This is going to work out great for them financially. It’s considerably better than what they would have gotten in the Pac-12.”

The money obviously wasn’t enough. While the Big Ten will be paying Oregon and Washington more than the Pac-12 could, the two schools are still receiving significantly less than established conference members. In other words, the Big Ten secured two top-notch brands on sale.

“There’s nobody that is going to deny the strength of both Washington and Oregon’s brands,” McElroy said. “In 15 consecutive seasons from 2008 to 2022, Oregon’s produced one of the best [TV] ratings… Six or seven times in those 15, 16 seasons, they’re a top 10 program.

“Oregon has competed for national championships, played in multiple national championship games, has been a threat to get to the playoff on multiple different occasions, has had to endure a bunch of different coaching turnover, but it appears like things are heading in the right direction now with Dan Lanning, who’s locked up until 2029.”