LOS ANGELES — Now that the fun is over — and by fun, of course, we mean the months of miserable will-they-won’t-they, kick-the-ball-down-the-road, dithering decision-making from the UC Board of Regents — and UCLA is officially on the move to the Big Ten, the actual fun begins: Projecting what this actually means to the Bruins, their students, their soon-to-be-former Pac-12 rivals and their upcoming Big Ten brethren.

The Board of Regents voted 11-5 on Wednesday to allow the Bruins to switch athletic conferences, with some stipulations. It was a landmark decision that finally solidifies a ground-shaking moment in college sports.

In less than 2 years, UCLA — as well as its crosstown rival USC — will head east, helping the Big Ten extend its footprint to four time zones. That means increased travel, yes, and plenty of headaches. It also means grander possibilities than could ever have been achieved by staying pat.

This is a bold move. The type of move a bold program makes, detractors be damned.

And that’s the thing: Some people will end up damned.

Who will come out ahead and who will be left behind with this big decision?

Winner: UCLA football and men’s basketball

The Big Ten (get used to seeing B1G) has committed to retaining an East and West division format for the 2023 season but reportedly will develop a new model in 2024. Either way, the Bruins — and Trojans — will likely slot into a pod or division with current Big Ten West teams, which is ostensibly sliding in as the two best football teams in the division.

That is certainly true for this year, and while Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska have historically been better than the Bruins on the field, UCLA has equal-to if not better potential than all of them. Purdue? Minnesota? Illinois? Northwestern? The Bruins are in a far better position than any of them, particularly when it comes to recruiting and especially when it comes to the transfer portal. No matter what the realignment looks like, the Trojans and Bruins will be in good shape.

Of course, joining a league that includes Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State on the other side makes the road to the Rose Bowl more difficult — well isn’t that weird — but in an expanded CFP field, things look rosy.

The Bruins’ legendary basketball program, meanwhile, gets an injection of RPI straight into its veins. The Big Ten conference basketball RPI is 2nd in the country, according to RealTimeRPI.com. The Pac-12 is 7th, behind the Mountain West Conference. UCLA loses a beautiful rival in Arizona but gains Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Maryland (ahem, except for Wednesday), Indiana and Wisconsin, all great basketball schools. UCLA is trading up on the field and on the floor.

Winner: UCLA’s budget

UCLA should at least double its media rights revenues, which could wipe out a massive athletic department deficit in no time. From there, the sky is the limit. As the first coast-to-coast league, the Big Ten is well-positioned to provide the counterbalance to the SEC and as we’re clearly headed to 4 or 5 super-conferences, the pecking order plays out well. Now one of the faces of the league, the Bruins stand to benefit in a big way in the near-future.

Winner: UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond

Maybe the biggest individual winner of all is UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond. He could end up the commissioner of college football when all is said and done. President? He’s navigated the Bruins through a brutal budget shortfall, a pandemic, the Under Armour debacle, the Nike negotiations, success in the flagship sports and now, a before-its-time leap to one of college athletics’ two premier conferences. What a run.

Loser: UCLA everything else

From student-athletes who’ll get much less sleep to professors who’ll have to deal with those sleepy students, parents who will face sky-rocketing travel costs to fans who’ll now have to cheer for UCLA against its long-time nemesis … Rutgers? … it’s not like everyone in Westwood comes out a winner. Some teams will gain new RPI-raising rivals, but the Bruins’ baseball team, for instance, will get crushed.

Winner: USC everything

The Trojans keep their most valuable travel partner and best rival. As interesting as it would’ve been to see USC be forced to go it alone — or, at least, with an Oregon or Washington or something — this is the best-case scenario for the Trojans, as well. And for fans of both teams, who at the very least still maintain one of the best rivalries in sports.

Loser: Cal’s ego

Unfortunately for the Bruins’ once-big brothers, UCLA’s departure leaves the Bears battered and their egos shattered. Cal fancied itself the Bruins’ biggest rival. Well, no. The oldest UC school is stuck feeling like a jilted sibling, watching the youngest one in curls getting asked to the prom.

Winner: Cal’s coffers

On the other hand, the Bruins’ going-away present to the Bears ain’t so bad. UCLA will pony up anywhere from $2 million to $10 million — a so-called “Berkeley Tax” — which will help Cal mitigate the financial loss of UCLA as a conference partner. For now, the Pac-12 remains an attractive opportunity for media rights packages. Should the conference stand put and not add any new programs, but not lose any, either, it should be fine. If Oregon and Washington jet next, Cal’s not feeling so great.

Loser: Pac-12 media

A cross-country flight for a conference road game at Maryland? Not fun.

Winner: San Diego State

As a former Aztec myself, let me just say, what in the world is going on here? I remember the days of Bill’s son Chris Walton air-balling free throws and Kevin O’Connell tossing interceptions, not coaching the best team in the NFL. It’s a brand new day, particularly for sunny San Diego, which now finds itself in the attractive position of next on the list. Should the Pac-12 choose to expand, SDSU is the likeliest first bid.

Loser: Basketball blue-bloods

Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky certainly won’t like this move. UCLA becomes even more enticing on the recruiting trail with the potential for more Final Fours in the future. Let’s not forget what happens when the Bruins are good — they have the chance to be really good. What did three straight Final Fours from 2006-08 turn into? The No. 1 recruiting class in the country and one of the best in UCLA history. That the class ended up imploding in the worst way is immaterial. Giving Mick Cronin and even bigger, better pulpit.

Loser: The Rose Bowl

The Granddaddy Of Them All is going to look mighty different going forward. With its tenant playing in the Big Ten, that makes for an awkward position. Can you imagine if UCLA’s first Rose Bowl appearance since 1999 happens as a member of the Big Ten? That’s hilarious.

Winner: Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren

After Oklahoma and Texas announced their departure from the Big 12 for the greener pastures of the SEC, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren had a serious problem: Expand or Wilt.

And so what did Warren do? He listened to Horace Greeley: Go West, Young Man. Warren manifested the Big Ten’s destiny this time around, putting the conference in prime position to poach the Ducks and Huskies — and maybe, say, Kansas, and a handful of top ACC squads to form one giant Super Conference. The Big 24 has a nice ring to it.