The Memphis football game on September 12 in Purdue will be canceled because the Big Ten announced Thursday that it would play convention games in all fall sports.
This is the first tiger game in the 2020 calendar affected by the existing COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Memphis Athletics Department will obtain a $750,000 warranty from Purdue, in accordance with the terms of your contract.
“I would like to thank Purdue Athletics management for keeping us informed of the stage as they could,” Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch said in a statement. “While there are safe monetary provisions in the contract, they will be discussed at a later date, as will any discussion about a replacement game.”
Under the contract’s force majeure provision, Purdue may simply avoid paying Memphis a $1 million cancellation payment if his inability to play is decided through a cause “out of his control.”
Without Purdue on the calendar, Memphis will not play against a Power Five opponent during the normal season. The Tigers’ last off-conference games are the first game of the season with Arkansas State (September 5), Texas-San Antonio (September 26) and UT Martin (November 21).
The Memphis Athletics Department announced in June that it does not plan to sell price tickets for a game this season and plans to allow only season-price ticket holders to attend football games.
AAFC commissioner Mike Aresco told The Commercial Appeal last month that the convention had not yet finished the progression of protocols on what would happen if an athlete, coach, officer or opportunity tested positive before a game.
He also said he hoped the games would be able to continue between AAFC member schools even if one or more schools simply didn’t start the season in time.
“That would be our inclination, ” said Aresco. “We haven’t made a final decision, however, our presidents and athletic managers would be able to play if one or two members can’t. Those who can’t play may not need to hold others.”
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