Is the Big 12 Conference reaching the point of no return?

Multiple sources in two leagues told The World-Herald on Sunday that they sense the Big 12 may have fractured too much to heal — and that the announcement of six Big 12 teams moving to the Pacific 10 could come sometime this week.

All sources agree that the national conference realignment process remains fluid, but appears to have speeded up.

Some of the latest news and developments:

• Representatives from the Pac-10 made exploratory visits to the campuses at Texas and Texas A&M two weeks ago, a source at a Big 12 school told The World-Herald.

• Two Big 12 sources confirmed to The World-Herald that last week Nebraska and Missouri were given a drop-dead date — this Friday afternoon — to commit to the Big 12. Nebraska, with a Board of Regents meeting this weekend, asked for a delay into the week of June 14-18.

• Baylor, with the aid of other Big 12 schools from Texas, has marshaled governmental and legislative forces in an attempt to get a Pac-10 invitation in place of Colorado, a source with direct knowledge of that situation told The World-Herald.

• The Pac-10 presidents and chancellors on Sunday gave commissioner Larry Scott all authority necessary to expand their league.

• The Big Ten presidents and chancellors on Sunday acknowledged that their original timetable for expansion, set last December at 12 to 18 months, “may be altered.'' Chairman Lou Anna Simon of Michigan State repeated the Big Ten stance that academics are as strong as any consideration in expansion.

Nebraska officials have remained silent on the speculation.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman, in an e-mail to The World-Herald on Sunday night, wrote: “Sorry, but as I said earlier, I am making no comments regarding conference realignment.''

How the NU Board of Regents fits into any decisions involving a possible change of conferences remains a bit unclear.

Board chairman Bob Phares of North Platte and vice chairman Bob Whitehouse of Papillion said Sunday night they haven't been briefed individually nor has the board as a group concerning NU's place in any conference realignment.

“I'm aware of all the speculation and rumors that everybody else hears,'' Phares said by phone. “I'm sure there's a lot going on we don't hear about, too.''

Phares said he thinks a decision by Nebraska to change conferences would need board of regents ratification.

“This is a campus decision, so this is a UNL arrangement first,'' he said.

In theory, the athletic director would make a recommendation, the chancellor would study it and send it on if agreeable, then the board would ratify it.

“We've had some of that with UNO when they've done some conference realignment,'' Phares said. “Those did come to us for ratification.

“It's not something that happens all the time, so it's not ‘in the book.' ''

Conference realignment isn't on the current agenda for the NU regents when they meet Friday and Saturday in Lincoln.

It soon could be if necessary.

Phares said there are places in the meeting period for new business and executive sessions.

“I know of a couple of things that will take us into executive session this time around that have nothing to do with this,'' Phares said. “So there will be a session available.''

Board bylaws also allow the addition of last-minute discussion items.

“If something needs action,'' Phares said, “we can get it out and get it published as an amendment to the agenda and still meet all the Nebraska open meeting law qualifications.''

Phares said he has faith in Perlman and Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne to protect the Huskers' interests.

“They are deeply in the middle of the pros and cons of the whole scenario,'' Phares said. “They have great experience in how conferences come together and function, so we are well-represented at the table.''

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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