Colorado Holding Significant Meetings In Regards To Potential Big 12 Move. No More Games, It's Time To Go

Colorado might be finally ready to make the jump out of the Pac 12. The university regents met Wednesday to discuss the potential move to the Big 12, with another board meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Colorado officials have been courted by the Big 12 over the previous few months. During this time, board members and regents have made it clear that they would listen to any proposal about a potential move.

In addition, the Pac 12 had held its own board meetings Wednesday, with commissioner Kilakoff providing some type of update on a media deal. It must've not suited Colorado if it is in deep discussions to leave the conference.

It should be noted that this was an executive session, which sheds light on the importance. I would expect Colorado to now move fast in its decision to head for the Big 12

Last Friday, Pac 12 Commissioner George Kilakoff made it a point to say that 'Our schools are committed to each other and to the Pac-12'. This statement makes things look considerably worse for the current state of the conference.

What Is The Protocol For Colorado To Leave Pac-12?

How this all would go down is simple on paper. Colorado would hold a vote to make the jump, then notify the Pac-12 of its intent to leave the conference. Following this move, Colorado would apply for membership to the Big 12, which would put the move in motion. But as we've seen over the past few years, Colorado regents aren't taking a vote if they don't already have a silent invitation to the Big 12.

In related news, the Big 12 is also holding a meeting with all of its presidents tonight, where reports indicate that further discussions will be held on the matter. This is not all a coincidence, with both parties looking for the right situation.

During this time, Colorado has been cordial with the Pac 12 regarding its pending media rights deal, but the continued negotiations aren't helping. All parties would love to have this cleared up by the start of football season, but patience is running thin. Pac 12 commissioner George Kilakoff has yet to update conference officials on a media rights deal.

University of Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders secures his headset under his cowboy hat during the Spring football game as part of Black and Gold Day on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Pac-12 Could Only Hold-Off A Move For So Long Without Media Deal

In this day and age of television deals, kicking the can down the road will only work for a short period of time. Now, it sounds as if Colorado is ready to make some type of move. This doesn't feel like an attempt to call the Pac-12's bluff, but more so that Colorado is ready to make a final decision on its future.

Just last week, Pac-12 commissioner George Kilakoff was proclaiming that the longer the conference waits on a media deal, the more suitors would come to the table with a better deal. If there wasn't a deal to present, after almost a year of looking and stalling, it makes zero sense for Colorado to keep waiting.

When this move goes down, it will only put the remaining Pac-12 teams in a worse spot than they were in just last week. It's one thing to have ten teams willing to sign a a new television agreement, but Colorado moving out of the house only makes that media deal less intriguing for a network.

Don't forget, the Big 12 was also looking to add another major basketball program to its team, so Colorado might be the first of two dominoes to fall.

This has certainly been a long year, for all sides. But with the Big 12 having room to expand and a media rights deal that will only benefit by additions, the timing would seem right.

Now we wait to see what comes of the next meeting between Colorado board members, which is scheduled for Thursday. In terms of the Big 12, tonight's meeting with school presidents could be a major step towards expansion.

This is an ongoing story and we will continue to update you