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Talks lag on CU-CSU series

Dispute centers on Buffs' desire to play at Folsom

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 18, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.

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It's not a "drop dead" date for negotiations, but the clock is ticking toward a contractual deadline established by officials at the Metro Denver Sports Commission, Colorado State University and the University of Colorado to firm up the future of the schools' football series.

Kieann Brownell, president of the sports commission and a staunch proponent of keeping the CU-CSU game in Denver, said all parties had hoped to reach an agreement before this year's game is played Aug. 31 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"We all wanted to have it settled by (then), but that doesn't seem realistic now," Brownell said Monday night. "Our intent is to move on it as much as we can in the next two weeks."

CU athletic director Mike Bohn, though, was optimistic about a decision being reached before the Buffaloes and Rams play for the 80th time overall and ninth in Denver. "I don't know why not," said Bohn, who met with CSU athletic director Paul Kowalczyk last week to discuss the series.

CU and CSU are in the final year of a contract signed two years ago that made Denver the site of the Rocky Mountain Showdown through 2008. The site of games in the contract's two option years - 2009 and 2010 - has not been determined and is among the sticking points between the universities, along with the site of a proposed 2012 game.

CU is the home team this year and next, and to give the Buffs six true 2009 home games - the minimal number in any given season, according to Bohn - CU wants CSU to play at Folsom Field.

Similarly, CSU only has five true home games in 2010 and could bargain with CU to visit Fort Collins if the 2009 game is played in Boulder. However, CSU stands to make about $1 million more by playing CU in Denver, which Brownell and her organization are pushing.

"We believe the game is very important to the state. . . . It's a good opportunity to highlight the two premier institutions in Colorado," she said.

Kowalczyk agrees.

"We've always thought the games belong in Denver," he said in a statement issued through CSU's athletic media relations office. "Playing in Denver benefits both institutions, not just their athletic programs. Playing there also benefits the city of Denver and the state."

Bohn has said he and CU have no reservations about CSU electing to play its home games in the series in Denver. CU would make more money as the host or visitor at Invesco than at Folsom Field.

But, Bohn added, he remains committed to playing six games at Folsom, particularly after the stadium's luxury suites were sold partially on the premise of having that many home games.

Asked about the progress of negotiations, Bohn said, "Paul and I visited, and we are discussing numerous options. (But) I don't have any definitive information to share."

Comments

  • August 19, 2008

    1:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    halecsu writes:

    At this point it seems like CU is going to keep being opposite and keep threatening to move the series to Folsom. If they do move the game, then CSU should play the 2010 game at Hughes. But knowing CU, as soon as CSU announces they want to play the game in Foco, CU will pull out of the series. Playing the game at Invesco is great, but if the series swithed campuses every other year then it would help build great atmospheres at both schools. So if the series stays in Denver then great, but if CU moves the game, then Hughes will be rockin' in 2010.