Report: Big Ten discussing adding 4 from Pac-12, including Oregon

The Big Ten has begun talks about potentially expanding membership to 18 or 20 teams, sources told Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.

The Pac-12 appears to be the Big Ten's biggest target in case of a potential expansion. If the conference opts to add two new schools, Oregon and Washington are reportedly being considered. Stanford and Cal would also be under consideration if the Big Ten moves to 20, according to Wetzel. The Big Ten will also welcome USC and UCLA next year.

On Thursday, the Big Ten presidents authorized commissioner Tony Petitti to explore expansion and collect more information on the Ducks and Huskies as potential new members, sources told Pete Thamel of ESPN.

A final decision apparently isn't imminent, as the Big Ten may also hold out for a resolution between the Pac-12 and Big 12 before deciding to add more members.

"It's a discussion, but it's a wait and see," a source told The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach.

The Big Ten appeared to address the reports in a statement Wednesday.

"The Big Ten conference is still focused on integration of USC and UCLA, but it's also the commissioner's job to keep conference chancellors and presidents informed about new developments as they occur," the statement reads, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

The Pac-12's future is uncertain. In addition to USC and UCLA going to the Big Ten, the league will lose Colorado to the Big 12 after the 2023-24 season. Several other current Pac-12 members have been linked to the Big 12, including Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah.

The Pac-12's current TV deal expires at the end of the upcoming season, but commissioner George Kliavkoff recently presented a new media rights package to his membership. The deal relied heavily on games appearing on an Apple Plus subscription streaming service and had revenue estimates as low as $20 million per school annually, according to Wetzel.

Big Ten schools will make at least $50 million per year with games appearing mostly on CBS, Fox, and NBC. That number is expected to grow annually. The Big 12 has a deal worth $31.7 million per year for schools.

Potential Pac-12 additions wouldn't have full revenue shares in the Big Ten like USC and UCLA, sources told Rittenberg.