Mick Cronin, the head coach of the UCLA Bruins basketball team, has expressed his concerns about the realignment in college athletics. The 2024-2025 season has brought significant travel challenges and competitive disadvantages for UCLA. Specifically, the team faces frequent long-distance travel from Los Angeles to Midwest locations like Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Maryland. Meanwhile, these Midwest teams only need to make one trip to Los Angeles to play both UCLA and USC. Cronin highlighted these inequities during a postgame press conference after defeating Washington, emphasizing the impact of television scheduling on player rest and preparation.

Travel Challenges and Competitive Disadvantages

Realignment has significantly altered the travel schedules for many college sports teams, particularly affecting those based in geographically distant regions. For UCLA, this means extensive travel across the country, with trips to Midwest states that are not reciprocated in terms of frequency or convenience. This imbalance creates logistical issues and affects the team's performance due to lack of adequate rest. Cronin pointed out that after games, players often return home in the early hours of the morning, making it difficult to prepare for upcoming matches. He emphasized the importance of balancing travel demands with the need for optimal player recovery.

The challenges faced by UCLA extend beyond mere inconvenience. The team's schedule is heavily influenced by television broadcasts, which prioritize prime viewing times over the well-being of athletes. Cronin noted that playing late-night games and traveling long distances can disrupt normal routines and affect the team's overall performance. Despite these obstacles, UCLA managed to secure a win against Washington, but the strain on the players remains evident. Cronin acknowledged the inherent inequities in the current system, hoping that future scheduling might offer some relief.

The Role of Television in Shaping College Sports

The influence of television on college sports cannot be overstated. Broadcast partners have become the driving force behind scheduling decisions, often prioritizing viewership over the practical needs of teams. Realignment has made conferences more valuable by adding high-profile schools like UCLA and USC to the Big Ten, enhancing their appeal to broadcasters. This shift has transformed the landscape of college athletics, where the value of the product is now dictated by television rights rather than the actual outcomes within the conferences. Cronin's frustration stems from the realization that the sport has sold its soul to television, prioritizing broadcast convenience over traditional conference geography and timing.

While Cronin recognizes the inevitability of this trend, he also highlights the challenges it poses for teams like UCLA. The emphasis on television has created an environment where fan experiences and team logistics are secondary considerations. Despite these hurdles, UCLA continues to compete at a high level, as evidenced by their victory over USC shortly after returning from a grueling road trip. Cronin's comments serve as a reminder of the broader implications of realignment and the need for a balanced approach to scheduling in college sports.