Now that the Big 12 has staved off the Pac-10 and SEC, how long is the league committed to remain together? According to Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins, at least 10 years and likely much longer."We all signed an agreement that we'd be here 10 years and if some things happen -- and I think they will happen, I prefer not go into it until it does -- if some other things happen, it could be longer," Perkins said. "Right now my understanding is it's 10 years."
The Big 12 would not comment Thursday on the league's 10-year commitment that Perkins mentioned during his Wednesday news conference in Lawrence, Kan.
Perkins, who announced recently he's retiring next September, went on to say he believes the Big 12 will remain together for a long time.
• Utah Joins Pac-10, Celebrates
• Where Things Stand
• 10-Year Big 12 Commitment
• Mountain West Done at Nine
• Maryland Was Never Leaving
• Big East Denies Rumors
• Big 12 Basketball Improves
• Travis: Texas-Sized Cowards
• Ciskie: Figuring Big Ten Divisions
• Texas Stays Home
• Texas-Sized TV Network?
• Nebraska Joins Big Ten
• Colorado to Pac-10
• Boise State to Mountain West
"I have great, great, great admiration for the nine schools that we're partners with," Perkins said. "I believe that when somebody says something and they make a commitment and put it in writing, you can go with it. I have no reason, none whatsoever, to have any fear that someone may bolt on us. If they do, they do.
"I'm thinking the cup is half full, not half empty. I don't think any of these schools would make this commitment if they're going to leave five years from now. Everyone has made a commitment to stay, if not they could have left [Wednesday]. All indications I've seen is we're in here for the long haul."
Last week, Colorado announced it would leave the league for the Pac-10 and Nebraska is headed to the Big Ten. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said the remaining league members - Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech - would play nine conference football games and play 18 conference basketball games - home-and-home series for each team - after Colorado and Nebraska depart.
Contact FanHouse senior writer Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com or please follow on Twitter @BrettmcmurphY
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