The Pac-12 Conference has postponed their 2020 football season, the league announced on Tuesday.
The move, a result of the ongoing novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, comes just over an hour after the Big Ten postponed their season.
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” said Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”
“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports has been our number one priority since the start of this current crisis,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “Our student-athletes, fans, staff and all those who love college sports would like to have seen the season played this calendar year as originally planned, and we know how disappointing this is.”
All Pac-12 sport competitions are included and are postponed through the end of the calendar year. The conference stated it would consider a return to competition after January 1, 2021.
The Pac-12 is the fourth Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference to postpone their 2020 season, joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Mountain West Conference, and Big Ten Conference.