In response to a lawsuit from eight Nebraska football players, the Big Ten disclosed Monday that its presidents and chancellors voted 11-3 to postpone the 2020 campaign.
The student-athletes questioned how the conference arrived at the conclusion to call off the 2020 fall season and are seeking the decision to be reversed. The lawsuit outlined three counts against the conference: wrongful interference with business expectations, breach of contract, and declaratory judgment.
The Big Ten denied the counts and said that while it shares the student-athletes' disappointment, the motion should be denied.
"The response demonstrates that the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C): 1) voted to postpone the fall sports season; 2) reached an 11-3 decision which far exceeds the 60% threshold required by the Big Ten's By-Laws; and 3) based its decision on multiple factors including the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee," the statement reads, according to Stadium's Brett McMurphy.
"The facts are clear that there was indeed a vote that far exceeded the 60% threshold, and the decision by the COP/C was based on the input of several medical and infectious disease experts in the best interest of health and wellness of student-athletes and the surrounding communities among the 14 member institutions."
Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio State were the three schools that voted to play, sources told Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.
Despite postponing the upcoming campaign until at least the spring, the Big Ten is reportedly still considering a revised fall schedule. One option is to begin an eight- or nine-game slate during the week of Thanksgiving.
