The Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously on June 30 to admit the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California to the Big Ten Conference. The expansion is effective Aug. 2, 2024. Competition will begin for all conference sports in the 2024-25 academic year.

Chancellor Ronnie Green and Trev Alberts, vice chancellor and director of athletics, issued the following statement regarding the addition of UCLA and USC as Big Ten Conference members:

“This is an exciting and historic day for the Big Ten Conference and the University of Nebraska. The addition of UCLA and USC to the Big Ten is a bold, ambitious step during a time of historic change in the collegiate athletics landscape. These institutions will add two world-class athletic departments and brands to the Big Ten and stretch the conference footprint from coast to coast.

“For the University of Nebraska, there are many positives associated with this expansion. UNL has a large alumni base in California that will have a great opportunity to regularly watch our teams compete in historical athletic venues in Southern California. Nebraska has had a history of success recruiting athletes from California, and this will only enhance Nebraska’s profile in a fertile recruiting ground. We welcome UCLA and USC to the Big Ten Conference and look forward to competing with them in the future.”