SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey made news last week by saying that independent thought might play a role in the return of college football.
“There is room for different conferences to make different decisions,” Sankey said during an interview on Jacksonville, Fla., radio station 1010 XL. “When we’re playing basketball tournaments, there is no connection.”
Commissioners from other conferences are veering away from speculation.
One of those is the Big Ten’s Kevin Warren, who told the Tribune on Sunday the conference is at least six weeks away from making key determinations. The Big Ten on Monday extended the hold on all organized team activities, setting June 1 as the new date to re-evaluate.
“I know more now than a week ago,” Warren said. “Some states are getting back to business, and we’ll see what impact that has. Will (COVID-19) cases spike, increase, stabilize? Are we getting closer to a vaccination?
“We will take the next six weeks to gather the information to make an informed and intelligent decision.”
Warren never mentioned finances as a driver or even a factor in the decision, though USA Today estimated that Power Five public universities would lose an average of $78 million if football is not played. That’s more than 60% of their operating revenue.
Warren said he will lean on the Big Ten’s Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, which was formed March 7 and announced in April. The group’s mission is to “provide counsel and sound medical advice to ensure the health, safety and wellness of the Big Ten’s students, coaches, administrators and fans.”
Warren also pledged to talk to student-athletes, saying, “Too often we as leaders make decisions without considering who they impact the most.”
He won’t have to go far to consult an SEC football player. His son, Powers, who is living with his parents in Chicago during the pandemic, plays tight end for Mississippi State.
“Young people want to play,” Warren said, “but they want to play in a safe environment. Some have grandparents with underlying medical risks.”
Huge decisions are ahead, starting with whether Big Ten campuses open for students in the fall. Next comes the football question: To play or not to play?
And is it possible only some schools would favor suiting up?
As Yahoo columnist Dan Wetzel put it: “What’s happening in New Jersey isn’t the same as what’s happening in Nebraska. So while playing the season can’t be a big priority right now at Rutgers, it might be in Lincoln.”
“Time is our friend,” Warren said. “As we approach the end of June, we will know a lot more.”
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