In what is at this point a poorly kept secret, sources tell WildcatAuthority that the Pac-12 is likely to cancel next football season. There is a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, but the decision could come before that.
Indeed, there is a movement among some school presidents and conference commissioners to have a joint decision to make it look like college football worked together. That decision would then lead to the conference also collaborating to come up with a plan to play spring football.
Spring would be no guarantee at all, but the belief is that the time spent can lead to benefits and the conferences have a wake-up call of sorts that this will only work if they are all on the same page.
Sources also indicate that the only conference that currently seems hesitant is the SEC, but that its hand will likely be forced if other conferences make their decisions. At this point, a lot of the delay has to do with the fact that the no-conference wants to be first, so they would do it together in principle.
As we indicated earlier in the week, Pac-12 schools have already been advised to write down statements regarding the cancellation of the season. Much of the decision-making is driven by school presidents and medical advice.
As for the medical advice, athletes who have had Covid-19 have had heart scans, which have shown that there were problems, which has caused even more concern because there is still so much to be answered.
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Even when the Pac-12 recently announced their football schedule, there was some clear pessimism around a season.
“This remains a very dynamic process,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said recently. “The health and safety of our student-athletes remains essential and we remain and our schools remain in close consultation with public health authorities and other government agencies that ultimately determine our ability to advance and approve.
“This work is ongoing. We have a world-class medical advisory committee that is very concerned with us, as well as discussions with other national leaders. We will continue to evaluate and be flexible in terms of how we adapt. “
Recent outbreaks on campus mixed with the fact that students in the country are returning to campuses has led to a decline in optimism that once existed.
“I think we’re all trying to take it one step at a time,” Scott said. “We are all cautiously optimistic, but there are many elements beyond our control. What is happening in our communities and on our campuses? Wearing mask, social distance. What happens when thousands of students return to campus?
“None of us have the answer to that question. We feel a tremendous commitment to the health and well-being of our student athletes, including their mental health, to provide every possible opportunity to play. “
