Despite constant reports indicating that the Big 12 was in position to poach the four corner schools from the Pac-12, three of the four schools that have long been linked to the Big 12 have publicly denied said reports within the last couple weeks.
It started with Utah's Athletic Director, Mark Harlan tweeting "give me a break" in regards to a report by CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd that was titled "Big 12 readies to pounce on Four Corners schools as doubt creeps in about Pac-12's viability", and was later reinforced when both presidents from Arizona and Arizona State publicly expressed their loyalty to the Pac-12.
Arizona State's President, Michael Crow confirmed to The State Press that the Pac-12 is nearing a deal, and even went as far to say that they were in the final stages. A message that was also emulated by Arizona's President Robert C. Robbins in an interview with The Athletic. Robbins explains that expects the Pac-12 to finalize a media rights deal “within the next couple of weeks,” and even went as far to say that he believes the dollar figure will be “better” than that of the one the Big 12 is receiving.
This leaves Colorado as the lone four corner member to not publicly deny the reports, but one would have to believe that with all of the confidence coming out of the Pac-12's side that the Big 12's efforts were to no avail. This means that the Pac-12 is likely focused on crossing their "t's" and dotting their "I's" on their media rights deal, and then turning their attention to expansion with programs such as San Diego State, SMU, Colorado State and a mystery fourth program being considered.
I broke down the comments by the two presidents and what it means for Colorado even more on the latest episode of Locked on Buffs.
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