UCLA has agreed to pay the University of California at Berkeley $10 million a year for three years instead of six due to UCLA’s move to the Big Ten and the Pac-12’s decline. The UC Board of Regents special committee on athletics voted 7-1 to shorten the payment period during a meeting at UC Merced. The matter, known as “Calimony,” will be voted on by the full Board of Regents on Thursday. Any significant changes in revenues or expenses exceeding 10% could result in a reevaluation of UCLA’s contribution.
In order for UCLA’s move to the Big Ten to be affirmed by the Regents in December 2022, the university agreed to pay UC Berkeley between $2 million and $10 million. This payment is meant to mitigate the impact of UCLA’s move on the Cal athletic program. Cal decided to join the ACC after the Pac-12 failed to secure a media deal, leading to the departure of eight more members. Only Oregon State and Washington State will remain in the conference in the next academic year. Additionally, Cal will face increased travel costs and a reduced share of the ACC’s media rights deal.
According to a report by UC’s president, UCLA’s annual media rights distribution from the Big Ten will be significantly higher than UC Berkeley’s share from the ACC by approximately $50 million per year. UCLA and USC announced their departure from the Pac-12 for the Big Ten on June 30, 2022. However, USC is a private institution and not part of the UC system. The involvement of the Regents in UCLA’s move came after Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the lack of advance notice given to the regents by UCLA officials.
Campus chancellors were given authority in 1991 to execute their own contracts, including athletic agreements. However, the regents asserted their authority to review decisions impacting the UC system during an August 2022 meeting. Four months later, the Regents voted to allow UCLA’s move to proceed. In addition to payment to UC Berkeley, UCLA committed to making further investments for athletes, such as nutritional support, mental health services, academic support while traveling, and charter flights to reduce travel time. The situation highlights the complexities and financial implications of conference realignment in collegiate athletics.
