Utah’s Leadership Talks ‘Bittersweet’ Move To Leave Pac-12, Excitement For Big 12
Aug 7, 2023, 12:01 PM | Updated: Aug 8, 2023, 11:45 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Last week was a whirlwind for the Pac-12 and their leadership, but now that things have cooled down, Utah’s President Taylor Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan provided all the details leading up to the Utes’ move to the Big 12 Conference.
On Monday, August 7, Randall and Harlan broke down Utah’s move to the Big 12.
For 14 months, Utah and the Pac-12 were on the defensive trying to keep the “Conference of Champions” alive through the next round of TV negotiations after USC and UCLA announced they were leaving in 2024.
“The Big 12 sets high standards. We are very excited about that” Randall said of the move.
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Utah’s president also said that the school is looking forward to a renewed version of the Utes’ rivalry with BYU.
“Of course, it’s bittersweet,” Harlan added. “There is excitement for what’s ahead.”
The athletic director said that the move to the Big 12 won’t be a step back for Utah’s student-athletes.
At Pac-12 Media Day it appeared the conference may be on the verge of salvaging itself soon, but a week later Colorado announced a move back to the Big 12.
The Pac-12 made one last push to stay together last Friday, but Oregon put a stop to that dream, instead moving with Washington to the Big Ten.
That parlayed to Arizona, ASU, and Utah making the tough call to move to the Big 12.
It’s official, Utah Athletics will join the @Big12Conference in 2024!https://t.co/t03Wp0mqqE#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/TyMKMwYs78
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) August 5, 2023
Randall begins by thanking the Big 12 Conference and Brett Yormark for the opportunity.
Randall shouts out Pac-12 and the friends they made along the way. Hope those relationships continue forward.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Harlan now on the podium. Starts by recognizing Randall's leadership.
Also notes the profound affect the Pac-12 has had on the U. Time to defend a lot of titles this year.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Harlan: It's an amazing conference. Worked at three Pac-12 institutions, went to school at one- it's bittersweet saying good-bye.
There is excitement though about the new opportunities ahead.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Randall- media is a part of it, but it's also building an incredible league. It has to meet some minimum viability. It's about the long-term vision.
Randall- what I like about the schools in the Big 12- they are all striving to be better.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Randall on the Apple Deal- it was a new way of viewing college sports. It was intriguing, but required thought because it was new. Felt like we were venture capitalists- it was energizing and exciting- we couldn't get the whole group there.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Harlan- We are so lucky at the University of Utah- we've had a record number of donors. Anticipates further growth. Future looks bright for the #Utes.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Randall says Utah explored a lot of options over the past few weeks.
Harlan says he can't speak about Colorado. Every institution needed to do what was best for them. #GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Randall- through this whole process George Kliavkoff did everything he could during a tough time to negotiate a TV deal.
Harlan- there are incredible people left in the Pac. The remaining four ADs are good friends, concerned, but hopes they find a way forward.#GoUtes
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 7, 2023
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports
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