The Pac-12 may mirror whatever decision the Big Ten reaches on the '20 seasonGETTY IMAGES
Pac-12 school presidents would vote today "at the earliest" on whether to cancel the '20 football season, but an "official decision by the Pac-12 to cancel is viewed as a foregone conclusion at this point," according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Pac-12 presidents "align more closely with the Big Ten than any other conference, in part because of the long association in the Rose Bowl." If the Big Ten "delays its announcement for a few days or weeks, the Pac-12 might follow" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/11). Wilner last night tweeted Pac-12 medical advisors "will recommend to 'stop contact and competitive activities at this time' until criteria in place to move forward, including testing protocol” (TWITTER.com, 8/10).
NEW LEADERSHIP NEEDED? In Portland, John Canzano writes of Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott, "The looming cancellation of the college football season is not on Scott, of course. But the Pac-12 being well positioned in 2021 is exactly his job -- and Scott’s act is all wrong." The conference "needs a connective, inspired leader right now," someone "grounded, humble, smart, and capable." Canzano: "The Pac-12 is amid a pandemic, facing deficits on campuses. Players are organizing. The conference’s media rights expire in 2024. The lease on the Pac-12′s expensive downtown San Francisco headquarters is up in 2022. The Pac-12 Networks has a challenging path given the lack of live programming that will be available in the coming three months." The conference "needs new leadership" (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/11).
