UPDATED 10:20 a.m. ET: CBSSports’ Bryan Fischer reports that Stanford AD Bob Bowlsby will become the Big 12’s next commissioner and that a press conference is tentatively set for Friday to make the announcement. However, it should be noted that a Big 12 source told Kirk Bohls of Austin-American Statesman that while Bowlsby is the “clear frontrunner” there’s been no confirmation that he’s taken the job.
The CBS report goes on to say that one of Bowlsby’s first priorities would be deciding if the Big 12 should expand. The conference is currently divided on the matter. If the Big 12 does expand, it appears Louisville and Notre Dame will be the schools on the conference short list, in that order.
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At least the Oliver Luck-Big 12 rumors can be put to bed. Provided the following report comes to fruition, of course.
ESPN’s Andy Katz reports that the Big 12 has offered its commissioner vacancy to Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby, and that Bowlsby is likely to accept the position.
Bowlsby would replace Dan Beebe, who was fired last year after the Big 12 nearly dissolved for the second consecutive year. Former Big 8 commissioner Chuck Neinas has been filling in as acting commissioner over the past several months.
According to the report, “Bowlsby also was influential in the Pac 12 negotiating a new television agreement that will show all its games next season on a number of networks, from ESPN, to Fox, to the new Pac-12 network.”
The Big 12 is looking to finalize a new TV contract as well.
If Bowlsby does accept the job -- he’s been with Stanford since 2006 -- it would be a home run hire for a conference that desperately needs stability.
(Photo credit: Stanford athletics)