Chancellor also announces resignation from chair of Big 12 Board of Directors
by Drew Brackett/Zach Wills/Matt Noonan/Danny Spewak
AUDIO EXTRAS:
REACTION: Sports Director Drew Brackett and Matt Noonan
ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri Board of Curators voted unanimously Tuesday to give chancellor Brady Deaton the authority to leave the Big 12 Conference, shunning the league’s offer for a long-term commitment.
Deaton, who also announced he would step down from his post as the chair of the Big 12 Board of Directors, did not shy away from the possibility of joining a new conference.
“We might be leaving the Big 12,” Deaton said. “And therefore, I think our bylaw is to address that.”
But Deaton did not make a firm decision on staying or leaving– he also said “we certainly are not ruling out continuing in the Big 12.”
On Monday, the Big 12 announced a revenue-sharing deal designed to essentially keep the league intact for years, but that agreement hinged on votes from each university. However, MU declined the deal Tuesday, and the curators expressed a hesitation to enter into a long-term deal. Deaton specifically mentioned his intention to find the best fit for “Tiger Nation,” as opposed to keeping the Big 12 intact.
According to Deaton, the Big 12 has not yet given MU a deadline to make a commitment.
