INDIANAPOLIS — Under the lights of the cavernous interior of Lucas Oil Stadium, Tony Petitti takes the stage.
It’s the start of a new era for Washington and the Big Ten. The differences between the Huskies’ former home in the Pac-12 and their new home were evident even before commissioner Petitti said a word.
Consider the setting. Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, dominates the city’s skyline and is arguably the most recognizable building. In less than five months, two teams will meet on this field with a chance to win the Big Ten championship.
This event is about football. This conference is about football. The Zouk Nightclub in Las Vegas, where the Pac-12’s final media day was held, seems like a world away. Welcome to the land of the Big Ten.
“College football has never been stronger,” Petitti said, “especially in the Big Ten Conference.”
The Big Ten media days, now three days long and featuring all 18 conference teams, began Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Washington coach Jedd Fisch and UW player representatives won’t speak until Thursday, but Petitti, along with players and coaches from Illinois, Northwestern, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Purdue and Ohio State, met with the media Tuesday.
Washington, USC, UCLA and Oregon officially join the Big Ten on Aug. 2. Petitti described the process of identifying the four new members as a “holistic approach.” He added that academic prowess and competitiveness in many sports helped the former Pac-12 schools and praised all four schools for fitting in multiple categories. However, Petitti acknowledged that one factor held particular importance.
“Do you bring value to the conference in terms of football?” Petitti said. “It’s no secret that football is a significant part of the revenue that’s generated to support the entire ecosystem. We understand that. So when you’re evaluating potential members, football comes first in terms of the sporting component.”
Petitti said the conference is working with the four newcomers to help them integrate into the Big Ten, including discussing scheduling, league formats, marketing, brand alignment and integration into the Big Ten Academic Alliance. He said feedback from student-athletes will be taken into account and adjustments will be made as needed going forward.
The University of Washington, in particular, finds itself in a difficult position because of this decision. The athletic department is burdened with a $240 million debt owed by the university’s internal loan program for stadium renovations.
The Huskies borrowed $20 million from the Big Ten and FOX Sports in exchange for their future full shares of Big Ten media rights, which they won’t get until 2030. The athletic department also estimated that Washington would incur about $30 million in one-time costs as part of its move, including an on-campus broadcast studio for the Big Ten Network.
Petitti declined to comment specifically on Washington’s operating budget, saying he didn’t have enough details. However, he said the conference has been supportive and understanding in helping the UW make the transition.
“It was about finding a long-term home, and there may be some things that need to be done in the short term to get them on the right track to get going,” Petitti said. “But I think they — and we — are really happy with the direction the conference is going and we can expect it to live up to that over time.”
As Washington and other West Coast schools continue to settle into the Big Ten, Petitti said the conference is not looking to expand in the immediate future.
Realignment isn’t the only change coming to college football, though. Petitti confirmed that helmet-to-sideline communication and sideline video will be introduced this season, and the commissioner announced the Big Ten’s partnership with Apple to provide on-field technology for in-game video. Additionally, the conference will unveil its new state-of-the-art replay center next month.
Petitti also discussed the House’s upcoming rule, which includes provisions for revenue sharing between schools and student-athletes. He said he expects further clarification in the coming months. Petitti added that he hopes to see a reporting system for revenue sharing and collectives of names, images and likenesses in the future to help student-athletes take advantage of opportunities available to them.
“We have to build this model,” Petitti said. “It’s going to take change and a tremendous amount of collaboration, first by coming to a consensus within the Big Ten and then bringing that to our colleagues in other conferences.”
“All of these things need to be implemented together, and I think the commissioners are committed to doing that. So there’s a lot of work to do over the next few months.”
Bonus points:
- Petitti announced that Lucas Oil Stadium will host the Big Ten championship through 2028, despite the addition of West Coast schools. Seattle, for example, is a four-hour (often indirect) flight from Indianapolis.
“We’re very pleased with the decision to keep football here in Indianapolis for the next four seasons. We think it’s the right thing to do. That said, I think we’re going to start to grow. I think it’s very important for markets all across the country to experience the Big Ten championships. It’s a great way to connect the conference.”
- Petitti did not give a timetable for if or when the NCAA will rule on Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal in 2023. Former coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, was suspended for the Wolverines’ final three regular-season games by the conference before returning to lead Michigan to the College Football Playoff championship.
“It’s a difficult process when you’re in an unfortunate situation where you have to decide what to do with a member. You approach that situation with a lot of respect, you try to do the right thing and protect the entire conference. That’s the approach we took and I stand by the results of the decision we made.”