I posted this on Rivals, but wanted to bring this topic up here because I think our focus has been on the wrong issues in the re-alignment discussion. The Denver Post has completely missed the boat on this aspect of the situation and, therefore, completely misunderstood what's going on.
Here goes:
People shouldn't make the mistake of looking at this as an athletic decision. That's certainly a consideration, but it's not the driver. The main drivers are the academic prestige and research partnerships with Pac 10 members as well as the major increase in alumni donations to CU from our western state alumni. Lots of aerospace and pharmaceutical research companies in the western states that are more likely to give CU research grants if it's a Pac member, too.
Since academics has the power at CU, not athletics, and academics is overwhelmingly in favor of this move (for good reason), it is a 100% certainty that CU will accept a Pac invitation if it is offered.
Here goes:
People shouldn't make the mistake of looking at this as an athletic decision. That's certainly a consideration, but it's not the driver. The main drivers are the academic prestige and research partnerships with Pac 10 members as well as the major increase in alumni donations to CU from our western state alumni. Lots of aerospace and pharmaceutical research companies in the western states that are more likely to give CU research grants if it's a Pac member, too.
Since academics has the power at CU, not athletics, and academics is overwhelmingly in favor of this move (for good reason), it is a 100% certainty that CU will accept a Pac invitation if it is offered.