BERKELEY, CALIF. — Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said today that Colorado has a “worse than 50-50” chance of joining the conference next year.
Scott met with Colorado chancellor Phil DiStefano Friday night and athletic director Mike Bohn this morning before the Buffaloes’ game against California. Based on what they told him about negotiating the school’s exit fee from the Big 12, he is sticking to the original plan of having Colorado join in 2012.
“We’ve got an 11-team football schedule for next year teed up,” Scott said at Memorial Stadium shortly before kickoff. “If it turns out they come in next year we’ve worked on a 12-team schedule as well.”
Colorado’s entry to the Pac-10 is contingent on negotiating an exit fee with the Big 12. It is believed the fee is about $9 million which is currently under negotiations. Scott said “I’m not privy” to discuss the progress and DiStefano is under legal obligation to stay quiet but sources say the Big 12 isn’t budging much.
Scott wants an answer sometime next month in order to organize a football championship game if the conference goes to 12 teams. He said he could move the deadline back if necessary.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
