It wasn't necessarily the decision to leave that stunned the Pac-12 -- it was the timing of it. Multiple sources told ESPN that on June 30, the Pac-12's presidents and chancellors voted unanimously -- including Colorado -- to authorize Kliavkoff to set July 31 as the deadline for all of the league's bidders on its new media rights deal. Those on the Zoom moved forward -- and Kliavkoff walked onto the stage in Las Vegas believing the league would stay intact at least until all the bids were in.
"Pissed off is the wrong word," a Pac-12 source with knowledge of the vote said. "[Pac-12 presidents and chancellors] were livid. Can't overstate the betrayal."
"Pissed off is the wrong word," a Pac-12 source with knowledge of the vote said. "[Pac-12 presidents and chancellors] were livid. Can't overstate the betrayal."
How the Big 12 landed Colorado and shook up college football
The Big 12 learned lessons two years ago after getting burned by Texas and Oklahoma. It resulted in a more aggressive strategy that could dramatically change the sport.
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