Did UCLA and USC work with Fox to recruit the Ducks and Huskies, block Cal and Stanford?

Republished from BillFarley.net

Two sections of the agreement between UCLA and the Big 10 suggest UCLA and USC (since both agreements are similar) were active participants in adding the Ducks and Huskies – and perhaps blocking Calford from joining the Big 10. The full agreement is found here for your review and so you can draw your own conclusions. Here are the two sections that drew my attention:

Section 4.04 Obligations of the Conference. From and after the execution of this Agreement through the Closing, Conference shall reasonably consult with and notify University of the entry into any media rights agreements and amendments that would affect the terms, conditions or benefits available under the Grant of Rights, as well as any changes or revisions to the Governing Documents or other agreements by which University will be bound once it joins the Conference.

Section 6.01 Termination. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this
Agreement may be terminated and the Transactions abandoned at any time before the Closing:

(ii) by University if … (C) the composition of the membership of the Conference is materially
different from the composition of the membership on the date hereof, or (D) there has been
any change in the rights or obligations attendant to membership in the Conference that is
reasonably likely to materially and adversely impact the expected benefits to University of
joining the Conference;

Taken together, I see it unlikely that the Big 10 and Fox would risk giving UCLA even a narrow opening to terminate, and therefore likely consulted with UCLA and USC on their courting the Ducks and Huskies. Furthermore, it indicates the UCLA and USC could block new members from joining. The extent of any communications on this front are hidden for now, protected from public disclosure by university lawyers, but could be revealed if the case of WSU/OSU v. Pac 12 heads to disclosure.