Big 12 wins vote to stage championship game

The Big 12 now has the right to have a championship game.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby told Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman that seven of nine conferences voted in favor of giving the Big 12 a title game.

The Big 12 only has 10 teams and no divisions, which is why it was previously not permitted to stage a championship game, and now it can without having to expand.

"We ended up with a compromise we can live with," Bowlsby said Wednesday. "We are constantly monitoring the environment. What it does, it keeps us from being forced to expand."

Bowlsby believes a championship game could be worth as much as $30 million in television rights, but there's no guarantee the Big 12 athletic directors will vote a championship game in.

"It is too early to speculate on the impact this will have with our member institutions regarding a football championship game," Bowlsby said in a statement.

The commissioner also noted he's unsure how the top two teams will be determined since the Big 12 doesn't have divisions. Nevertheless, he's happy this came together despite the size of the conference.

"I appreciate that what was acted upon today takes into account our unique 10-team, full round-robin scheduling model," he said. "However, this vote does not automatically mean the Big 12 will implement a football championship game.

"Our membership will continue to analyze its pros and cons, as we now know the requirements should we decide to go down that path."