• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 10, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Big 12 Commissioner Says Football Decisions Must Be Made ‘Between Early June And Late July’

  • Bowlsby joined Front Office Sports digital interview show Fundamentals on May 7, addressing topics ranging from NIL to the conference’s ESPN partnership.
  • “Those of us that are involved in the athletics enterprise are going to have to be responsive. I don’t think we can drive those decisions. That’s the tail wagging the dog.”
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby has set a timeline for his conference to make decisions about the upcoming fall football season, citing mid-summer as the window during which decisions must be made for schools in regards to a return to play.

The conference and its member institutions are working with public health officials and state decision-makers as they try to preemptively plan for a number of possible shapes the football season could take.

“We have tried to coordinate with public health officials, and we’ve tried to coordinate with governor’s offices because ultimately, that’s where these decisions are going to be made,” Bowlsby said while speaking with Emily Caron on Front Office Sports’ Fundamentals. “They’re going to empower university presidents and chancellors and boards of trustees to go and make their own decisions as to how they’re going to operate their university. I think most of the decision dates for our schools are somewhere between early June and late July in terms of just exactly what the fall is going to look like. Those of us that are involved in the athletics enterprise are going to have to be responsive. I don’t think we can drive those decisions. That’s the tail wagging the dog, I think.”

The window right between early June and late July is the sweet spot, Bowlsby said.

“By the middle of July, we’re going to have to have a pretty good indication that we can go back to practicing and getting prepared, or we’re not going to be able to play on Labor Day weekend,” he added. “And that’s when we have to start making some decisions about what that structure looks like during the fall.”

Once decisions are made collectively, Bowlsby said his biggest priority is ensuring a return is done “the right way,” which likely won’t mirror traditions or norms. A number of changes will have to occur – encompassing facility operations, travel, sanitation, health, and wellness testing, fan experience adjustments, venue spacing, and more – in this new sort of normal within college athletics.

READ MORE: Consensus Hard To Come By Around Student-Athlete NIL Opportunities

Bowlsby also expressed a need to prepare for changes that could take place even after sports have resumed. Resumption doesn’t mean continuity in regards to the way the season will finish, particularly if campuses see spikes in the virus or a potential second wave hits.

“It’s hard to imagine that we’re going to get all the way through a fall and a winter sports season without institutions having flare-ups,” Bowlsby said. “I just think college campuses are Petri dishes for infectious diseases. They always are. There are lots of people, and they’re living in close quarters, and they’re partying and interfacing, and there’s just lots going on. Some of that is going to find itself in the athletics population.”

The ability to carry the virus without symptoms and spread it unknowingly also gives Bowlsby pause about not preparing for flare-ups or virus-related interruptions if football does resume as normal in the fall.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that there will be disruptions during the season. And that’s where the split season comes from,” he explained. “I don’t think we would ever schedule to play a split season in football or basketball or anything else. But if we got to the middle of the season and found that infections were running wild, we may very well be forced into that sort of choice.”

As a result, additional scenarios are also under consideration, including an early start to the season, if possible, or a truncated season that only features conference games and does not start until Oct. 1. Then next big question, according to Bowlsby, is “what this does to the postseason and to the college football playoff and to the basketball season?”

Bowlsby also spoke on the long term impact of the current coronavirus pandemic on college athletics, media rights, and more as well as the NCAA’s move toward name, image and likeness rules changes. Watch the complete interview here.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

Big Ten Vote on Investment From California Pension Expected Next Week

A vote is expected to happen as early as next week, FOS confirmed.
Oct 9, 2025; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti speaks during Big Ten MenÕs Basketball Media Days at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

In an Expanded March Madness, Big Ten Favors Straight Seeding

Discussion around expanding the tournament continues to escalate.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan talks with people outside the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens June 18

Congresswoman Says College Sports Commission Process Is ‘Harming Athletes’

The CSC’s process is “slow, inefficient, and inscrutable,” Rep. Trahan said.
Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Will Straton celebrates a stop as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

CBS Eyes Breakthrough As Big Ten Ratings Still Lag Behind SEC

The network will air No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
exclusive

LSU Signs Multimillion-Dollar Jersey Patch Deal Before NCAA Approval

A new proposal would allow jersey sponsors in 2026.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium
October 8, 2025

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a player’s family.
October 9, 2025

What If UNC and Belichick Part Ways? The Buyout Structure Is …..

If Belichick is fired without cause in his last two seasons, UNC owes him nothing.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 8, 2025

NCAA Revises the Transfer Portal Windows Around Coaching Changes

The exception for coaching changes is shifting.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

Under the proposal, Big Ten would spin assets into a new entity.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.