Michigan Football is reportedly thinking about exiting the Big Ten conference in 2036.

Jeff Hauser

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Michigan Football reportedly considering leaving the Big Ten in 2036 image

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TL;DR

  • Michigan is considering leaving the Big Ten Conference after their media rights agreement ends in 2036.
  • The Wolverines are unhappy with the Big Ten's proposed $2.4 billion media-rights equity offering for the league's future.
  • Michigan Regent Jordan Acker stated that football independence is an option being considered by the university.
  • Concerns about Big Ten expansion, leadership, and equitable compensation are driving Michigan's potential departure.

Michigan is reportedly considering the previously unimaginable possibility of departing the Big Ten Conference once the league's present media rights agreement concludes in 2036.

The college football world's rapid changes have impacted numerous aspects, and Michigan has become a prominent critic of the Big Ten's suggested $2.4 billion media-rights equity offering. This proposal aims to prolong the conference's financial framework until 2046. 

Michigan and Ohio State are slated to receive the biggest portions of the payout, reportedly about $190 million apiece, yet the Wolverines express discontent with both the offer and the way it's being handled. The process for advancing this situation is commencing a full ten years prior to its actual occurrence. 

University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker said on SiriusXM’s College Sports Today that the school is “considering all options,” including possible football independence.

“The possibility of independence for football is something that has to be considered,” Acker said, adding that Michigan would prefer to remain in the Big Ten but is unwilling to be marginalized. He also noted that the conference’s indication it could proceed without them “would be the end of Michigan, as far as I can see, in the Big Ten Conference.”

Michigan's worries surface as the Big Ten expands to 18 teams, prompting discussions on leadership, income distribution, sustained competitive parity, and shouldering a significant burden without equitable compensation. 

Critics contend the league's recent expansions across the entire West Coast have pushed its footprint beyond what's sustainable. This coast-to-coast approach has proven burdensome for teams traveling in either direction. 

Should Michigan break away, the move would send shockwaves throughout college athletics. One of the Big Ten’s six remaining original members, the Wolverines could potentially command a massive independent media rights deal. This would be similar to Notre Dame’s long-standing model and give Michigan the ability to have a better strength of schedule. 

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Contributing Writer