The Big Ten appears to be one step closer to canceling fall sports.
According to a report by ESPN's Heather Dinich, Adam Rittenberg and Mark Schlabach on Sunday, “several sources have indicated to ESPN that Big Ten presidents, following a meeting on Saturday, are ready to pull the plug on its fall sports season.”
“Sources told ESPN that a vast majority of Big Ten presidents have indicated that they would vote to postpone football season, hopefully to the spring,” the report states, though no official vote was taken during Saturday's meeting of Big Ten presidents and chancellors.
Per ESPN, commissioners of the Power 5 conferences held a meeting on Sunday, in which the Big Ten “wanted to gauge if commissioners and university presidents and chancellors from the other Power 5 conferences – the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC – will fall in line with them.” ESPN described the meeting as an “emergency meeting,” though several subsequent reports downplayed the emergency nature of the meeting, saying the Power 5 commissioners already talk almost every day.
Two P5 commissioner downplay the "emergency" nature of today's call. They speak almost every day. That said, the seriousness of the discussions is clear. No indication on whether conferences will be united in announcement. "Ultimately I have to do what's best for my league."
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) August 9, 2020
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby tells me today's P5 conf comm meeting was a regularly scheduled meeting. "We talk almost every day," he said. "We haven't made any decisions yet."
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) August 9, 2020
Big Ten presidents and chancellors met again on Sunday night. Ohio State president-elect Kristina Johnson, who was not on Saturday's call, was a participant in Sunday night's call, an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed. Per Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel, no final decision was made during Sunday night's call, but no fall sports remains the expected outcome.
Source: Big Ten Presidents remain on the cusp of cancelling the season, but the league isnt ready to announce. The decision is close, but not final. Big Ten programs have been instructed by Commissioner Kevin Warren to essentially go light in practice tomorrow.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 10, 2020
Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde reported Sunday that efforts to save this fall's college football season have reached a “critical stage.”
Sources: Attempts to salvage the fall 2020 college football season are all but over. Its gotten to a critical stage," one told SI. "I think all of us will be meeting with our boards in the coming days. We have work to do that is no fun.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 9, 2020
While reports from Dan Patrick and the Detroit Free Press on Monday morning both stated that 12 of 14 Big Ten presidents and chancellors had already voted to shut down fall sports, a Big Ten spokesperson told reporters Monday afternoon that no vote had been held yet, and the Ohio State football team practiced and held its team picture day on Monday. According to Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal, however, a final decision could come on Monday night, when the presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet again.
The Big Ten's presidents are scheduled to meet again on a call at 6 o'clock ET tonight, when they'll make the final decision on the football season, per source.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) August 10, 2020
So far, the Mid-American Conference is the only FBS conference that has officially postponed fall sports to the spring, but the Big Ten announced Saturday that it would not proceed forward with padded football practices until further notice.
Many Ohio State football players, staffers and parents of football players have made pleas via social media for the Buckeyes to get the opportunity to play this fall.
Theres been too much work put in!! #WeWantToPlay
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
No safer place to be. Im tryna play pic.twitter.com/HR0HO0VNy2
— Ruck (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) August 9, 2020
Locked n Loaded #IWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/WAwcTglk8q
— Teradja Mitchell (@teradja_) August 9, 2020
— Nathan Brock (@natebrock50) August 9, 2020
Listen to the players and their families!!! pic.twitter.com/eWehWftNJj
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) August 9, 2020
I have to tell you, I dont know that I have ever been more proud to be a part of any organization. This statement from our parents fills my heart w/gratitude for being asssociated w/such outstanding families! #nowonderouryoungmenhavesuchclasscharacterandcourage #GoBucks #Fight https://t.co/LTAvgxKA4x
— Kerry Coombs (@DB_CoachCoombs) August 10, 2020
There R kids all over the country successfully playing club sports & camps w far less surveillance & no issues whatsoever. We are generally talking abt the healthiest, low risk group of people under the strictest of protocols. #TestBeforePlay #ProperSurveillance #LetThemPlayCFB
— Kristina Miller (@KschilbMiller) August 9, 2020
It would NOT be a sound decision to cancel the season! The vulnerable can be protected as everyone wisely continues on with normal life. #LetThemPlay #TrustTheFans #GoBucks https://t.co/7v4vKMSL5G
— Tim Potter (@TimPotterGrace) August 9, 2020
It would definitely be going against our wishes! https://t.co/grzesA8S4v
— Dr. Corey M. Teague (@DrCoreyMTeague) August 9, 2020
#IWantASeason #LetThemPlay pic.twitter.com/s5Xbsfd716
— Monica Johnson (@MonicaCLJohnson) August 9, 2020
