AD Says WSU's Pac-10 Future May Be in Jeopardy

[dbackjon]

Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk, under fire for considering a proposal to move the Cougars' next three home football games with Washington to Qwest Field, said Wednesday the additional profits that would be gained by moving the three Apple Cups from Pullman to Seattle may help ensure that WSU remains part of the Pacific-10 Conference.

Sterk, participating in an online chat session on wsucougars.com, recalled how "only a close vote" kept Washington State from being kicked out of the Pac-10 in the 1960s.

"Our annual budget ($30 million for athletics) is currently $14 million below the next lowest member in the conference," Sterk said. "If we do not take action to create revenue and level the playing field, we may be at some point in the future be facing another vote.

"I will do everything that I can on my watch to prevent such an action. This is why I am pushing for Phase III of the (Martin Stadium football field) renovation and am considering the Apple Cup move."

Sterk had previously said the tentatively agreed upon shift of six Apple Cup games from the WSU and Washington campus stadiums to Qwest from 2010-15 might prevent athletic department layoffs and/or the elimination of sports programs.

On Wednesday, Sterk said WSU athletics "will be faced with budgets reductions and layoffs in the coming years ahead" regardless of where the six Apple Cups are played.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/apr/ ... -jeopardy/

[AZGrizFan]

That school has been operating on a wing and a prayer for YEARS.

[slycat]

It would really be shocking to see it happen. I guess then Utah would have a shot of getting in. The Pac-10 should let Utah and BYU in now as it is.