This is totally wrong - especially with Oregon. I found this list online and Oregon is generally regarded one of the top 10 fan bases in the country Washington - depending on the list - is usually somewhere around 15 to 25. This list was from 2022 so the conference fan bases will shift somewhat with the recent SEC and Big Ten additions in 2024 and beyond
College Football HQ
www.si.com
But what many aren't understanding about Oregon is the absolutely unbelievable, MASSIVE backing they get from alumni Phil Knight and his NIKE money. He was determined - at any cost - to get Oregon in the Big Ten. He's already donated somewhere between $1 to 2 BILLION to his beloved Oregon - much of it to their athletic department. He ran track & field for Oregon and it was mostly his money that was responsible for upgrading legendary Hayward Field in Eugene - widely considered the finest Track & Field facility in the world.
Basically, Oregon gets what they want from Knight and NIKE. That decreased 4 or 5 year payout for Oregon of $30 million (plus $1 million yearly) is chump, pocket change for Knight. Oregon needs something - they get it