Martin Jarmond details how UCLA will balance relationships in Pac-12 with looming Big Ten move

UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond recognizes the Bruins will be walking the tightrope in the Pac-12 while they await their freshly-announced move to the Big Ten.

Still, Jarmond intends to finish out the Bruins’ tenure in the conference with dignity. In an appearance on SportsCenter, the UCLA leader explained how the school will balance relationships with other Pac-12 programs while their move to the Big Ten looms large.

“Well, we’ve been members in the Pac-12 for a long time. We have much respect for the Pac-12, and the institutions doing it the right way,” began Jarmond. “So, we’re going to be the best partner we can be. We’re going to compete, and we believe in sportsmanship and doing things the right way. That’s not going to change over these next two years.

“So, we will fully be invested in the Pac-12. We’ll fully be committed to doing everything we can to help our student athletes, and compete against our other institutions that are in the Pac-12.”

Martin Jarmond is well-intentioned in his attitude towards other Pac-12 programs, but time will tell how his counterparts react to UCLA blowing up the conference, along with USC in favor of the Big Ten.

Martin Jarmond breaks down timeline, reasoning behind Big Ten move

Moreover, it seemed sudden on Thursday when reports surfaced USC and UCLA were looking to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. As it turns out, the timing was right, according to UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond.

During an appearance on SportsCenter, Jarmond said with college landscape evolving right before our eyes, he and UCLA wanted to make sure they stayed ahead of the curve. He said the Big Ten fit the bill, and that’s when the ball got rolling — and more conference realignment dominoes started falling.

“College athletics has changed so much,” Jarmond said. “It’s a very dynamic time right now in our business. With everything in the landscape changing, you’re constantly evaluating what are the opportunities, what is the path forward to put your student-athletes in the best position to be successful and resource and support them in the best ways?

“When you look at the landscape, the Big Ten Conference is very strong from the standpoint of the tradition, the academic fit and the institutions there … and then high-level athletics. With that combination, it just made a lot of sense for us to look at the Big Ten and call the Big Ten our home for the future.”