Report: Oregon Ducks will accept Big Ten invite if offered

The Pac-12 continues to find itself smack dab in the middle of conference realignment conversations. That has included rumors and reports regarding almost every team in the league with the idea of Oregon leaving only picking up that much more steam now.

James Crepea of The Oregonian has shared an update that suggests that the Ducks would join the Big Ten if offered. The process will have to play out but, as Crepea wrote last night, Oregon’s domino could very likely be one of the next to fall.

“With the future of the Pac-12 in peril, the University of Oregon is prepared to accept an invitation from the Big Ten, should the conference ultimately choose to expand, according to a source with knowledge of the matter,” wrote Crepea. “Multiple sources with knowledge of UO’s thinking, who spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive on the condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly, conveyed a quiet confidence that the process of conference realignment will play out with the Ducks ultimately being invited to the Big Ten and accepting the opportunity.”

Much of the decision for Oregon, as well as Washington, would come down to money. However, per reports, their initial share, should they leave, would “only be about half” of what the other school’s compensation from the Big Ten’s new television deal would be. Cross-country travel has also become a growing concern for both the Ducks and Huskies.

Still, per many reports, including those of On3’s Pete Nakos, interest is still very much there. That’s especially so considering a deal to bring Oregon and or Washington to the Big Ten would come with a significant enough annual payout.

“While no TV contract has been formalized yet, some numbers have begun to be tossed around. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source close to the situation said a deal framework would have an annual payout ranging between the $30 to $40 million range,” Nakos wrote. “Still, these numbers are more projections than anything else. The source pointed to Washington and Oregon still having concerns over travel costs. With nothing set yet, some ideas are being tossed around regarding the possibility of a loan from a media partner to assist in travel expenses.”

We’re still a little bit off from anything becoming official for Oregon. With that said, the wheels seem to be turning and turning quickly in realignment. With the Big Ten exploring their potential addition, the question now falls on if, or, better yet, when, an offer comes for the Ducks to leave the Pac-12.

Big Ten to offer Washington, Oregon $35-40 million annually per team

Washington and Oregon could be headed to the Big Ten. However, it could be at a discount according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

After Big 12 approved Arizona’s application, the next dominoes could fall very soon. Arizona State and Utah are up in the air, but Big Ten targets Oregon and Washington could be jumping ship.

Maybe, reports Dellenger.

“Big Ten’s offer to Washington & Oregon is expected to be $35-40 million annually per team. (It’s) a figure that, with the additional cross-country travel, could create some hesitancy,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter. “However, exits from the Four Corner schools could sway UW and UO to leave.”

The figures are lower than the schools would like, according to the report. With the Four Corner schools leaving and potentially leaving, though, the Big Ten could add two more west coast universities.

Amid swirling rumors, ESPN’s Pete Thamel explained why Oregon and Washington would make sense for the Big Ten.

“In talking to sources this afternoon, those logical expansion options would be Oregon and Washington,” Thamel said Thursday. “The Big Ten had been engaged with Oregon and Washington after its expansion of USC and UCLA. That didn’t work out. This time around, however, the Ducks and the Huskies are in a vulnerable position. That could lead them to likely come at a discount.

The Big Ten, as Dellenger reported Thursday night, is offering Washington and Oregon at a discount, at least for now.

Thamel said it’s a logical move. At this point, the two schools might believe the Big Ten has greener pastures than the Pac-12 too.

“There’s a logical landing spot. And it’s a matter of what price Oregon and Washington would come in for,” Thamel said. “I think it’s a lot more attractive to the Big Ten now to get them at a discount.”