BOULDER — Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn said he expects decisions concerning possible expansion and realignment of conferences will be resolved by this summer.
The Big Ten and Pac-10 conferences announced recently they are analyzing the potential impact of conference expansion. Colorado declined overtures from the Pac-10 in 1994, having already committed to the formation of the Big 12, but CU could be a candidate again if the Pac-10 elects to grow.
Television contracts for the Pac-10 are due to expire after the 2011-12 academic year. Gaining new members in new markets is a way for conferences to strengthen and gain leverage for TV negotiations. Bohn said Colorado has not been contacted by the Pac-10.
“If I had to bet, I’ve got to believe something is going to happen this summer,” Bohn said Tuesday of conference expansion. “It doesn’t make any sense to prolong it. That’s my personal sense.
“But that’s mere speculation. That’s a guess. I don’t have anything to back that up with — no invitations, no discussions, nothing.”
Footnotes.
Bohn on the CU football program, which is coming off a 3-9 season: “No question, expectations are high, because (coach) Dan Hawkins has set them high.” . . . Ceremonial groundbreaking for the Buffs’ $11 million basketball and volleyball practice facility is set for March 25. Construction is expected to take 11 months. . . . There will be no increase in the price of CU season football tickets, although for the first time there will be a tiered pricing of seats for the game against Colorado State at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
