Nebraska to Big Ten could set off major changes

The University of Nebraska could decide today to leave the Big 12 Conference in favour of the Big Ten, which could lead to sweeping changes across collegiate sports in the United States. If Nebraska defects from the Big 12, the entire conference would likely disband, reports have said. In anticipation of Nebraska leaving, ESPN.com reported that Colorado has been invited to leave the Big 12 and join the Pac-10. Five other Big 12 schools - Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech - would also be invited to join the Pac-10. That would leave the remaining five Big 12 schools - Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Iowa State - without a home.

"Nebraska is the key," one coach told ESPN.com. "If Nebraska leaves, everyone has to look." Tom Osborne, Nebraska's athletic director, said a decision has not been finalised, and he declined to comment on whether the Big Ten had formally invited Nebraska to join the conference. The university issued a statement to counter media reports that the Board of Regents met informally on Wednesday and had agreed to a move to the Big Ten.

Officials, however, do want a quick resolution on the future of the school's athletic programmes. "The conjecture and all the intensity surrounding it is not positive," Regent Jim McClurg said of the impending decision. "Everybody needs to know and has a right to know. The calamity and opportunity that's conjured up by not knowing sometimes exceeds reality, so I think it's important to get a decision done."

The Big 12 reportedly has given Nebraska a deadline of today to affirm their commitment to the league. The Big Ten said last year they considered adding at least one school to allow for a lucrative league championship game in football and broaden the reach of their cable television network. Based on 2009 figures, Nebraska would double the money it receives from conference distributions in the Big Ten. Big Ten schools received about US$20 million (Dh73m) a year in revenue compared with the $10m Nebraska took in from the Big 12. * Agencies