Colorado athletic director Rick George made a bold move when he cut bait with head coach Mike MacIntyre.
If he really wants to prove himself an audacious leader, George will pick up the phone, call President Bruce D. Benson and suggest the following: It’s time we talked about bolting the Pac-12.
It’s been nearly a decade since Colorado jumped from a seemingly sinking Big 12 ship, and at no point during that time has CU been anything more than a bit player in the Pac-12 hierarchy. But the truth of the matter is, the Buffs hold some strong cards as the conference’s easternmost outpost.
There’s no doubt the Big 12 would welcome the Buffs back if they so desired. And who’s to say the now-sprawling Big Ten wouldn’t find Colorado an enticing addition?
That’s something that should deeply trouble Pac-12 presidents. Because short of adding Texas and/or Oklahoma, the conference needs Colorado to keep up with the Joneses. Which means the Buffs have the ability to flex some muscle and demand changes… or else.
That takes us to the conference headquarters in high-rent San Francisco, where “lavish” .
It should say something that two weeks ago, the most passionate the Pac-12 championship game crowd got was when it .
It isn’t just that the football and basketball brands are . Or that Scott is so tone deaf he thinks the “” is as much of a problem for him as an .
It’s that running a “” that is while the Pac-12
If you don’t think that matters, take a look at . See a lot of Pac-12 names on there? I’ll save you the click: Just five out of the top 50.
Nice things cost money, and if the conference isn’t making as much as the rest of the Power 5, it isn’t going to have as many.
The promise of more money was at least one of the reasons Colorado joined the Pac-12 in the first place. An opportunity to partner with like-minded institutions was, of course, the other.
As much as it would be a shame to see those relationships end, George should know it’s in CU’s best interest to demand new leadership for the conference.
Or it’s bye-bye Buffs.
—, The Denver Post
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Scoreboard
NBA: Nuggets 105, Grizzlies 99
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By The Numbers
2016
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Parting Shot
“Last ski season, I skied 50 days for my 50th birthday and discovered that you can indeed teach old skiers new tricks.”
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
