A team of Detroit Free Press reporters is breaking the inevitable news. According to their sources, the Big Ten has voted to cancel the 2020 fall sports season:

The Big Ten has voted to cancel the 2020 college football season in a historic move that stems from concerns related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, multiple people with knowledge of the decision confirmed to the Free Press.

The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the decision. A formal announcement is expected to Tuesday, the sources said. 

The presidents voted, 12-2, Sunday to end the fall sports in the conference. Only Nebraska and Iowa voted to play, Dan Patrick said on his radio show Monday. 

The move comes two days after the Mid-American Conference became the first in the FBS to cancel ts season, and sources told the Free Press the Big Ten is trying to coordinate its announcement with other Power Five conferences. 

There's no word on whether a Spring 2021 football season is under consideration, though I imagine they'll keep that possibility open until/unless it becomes totally unfeasible, much like how the leadup to this announcement has played out.

Though the Big Ten's decision evidently was already made, this news also comes on the heels of some of college football's most prominent stars releasing a joint statement about wanting to play the 2020 season—if they could be guaranteed universal safety protocols, eligibility for players opting out, and a commitment to the formation of a players association.

#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB

— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020

It's hard to imagine the NCAA and its conferences meeting those demands, particularly the precursor to a full-blown players union, without a serious fight. I don't think anyone has a clear idea of what the short- or long-term future of college football holds. What is clear, however, is that we're in the midst of a significant moment in the history of the sport.

UPDATE: Too much is coming in at once for new posts for everything. A statement from Jim Harbaugh is after the jump.

UPDATE UPDATE: The Big Ten denies they've made a final decision, though they're apparently meeting again today.

[Hit THE JUMP for Jim Harbaugh's statement on rumors of a canceled season.]

Statement from University of Michigan Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh

I would like to address the rumors that are swirling today. I’m not advocating for football this fall because of my passion or our players desire to play but because of the facts accumulated over the last eight weeks since our players returned to campus on June 13. I am advocating on August 10 that this virus can be controlled and handled because of these facts:

• The Michigan football program has had 11 positive tests out of 893 administered, including three upon initial return to campus.
• We have had two positive tests out of the last 417 administered.
• We have had zero positive tests out of the last 353 administered.
• There have been zero positives tests among the coaches or staff over the entire eight weeks of testing.
• There has been no contract tracing to our fields, weight room, locker room or facility.
• We have had zero pauses in our training.
• We have complied with all CDC guidelines and self‐implemented stricter standards for contacting tracing in quarantining to prevent spread.
• We have followed all health and safety guidelines and welcome and encourage any health department, University administrators or other sports programs to visit and see how we practice and execute these protocols.
• As Darryl Conway our Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Big Ten’s Medical Advisory Group has stated, “I wish that others could see this model.”

This isn’t easy. This is hard.

It is proven that the conduct, discipline and structure within our program have led to these stellar results. We respect the challenge that the virus has presented however we will not cower from it.

We have developed a great prototype for how we can make this work and provide the opportunity for players to play. If you are transparent and follow the rules, this is how it can be done.

I am forever proud of our players, parents, coaches and staff for being leaders and role models in our sport, at our institution and in society. We will continue to follow all health and safety guidelines, teach, train, and coach those young men and their families that have put their trust in us, while advocating for a football season in the fall.

In quoting President Theodore Roosevelt, we do this “so that our place will not be among the cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

#WEWANTTOPLAY

#WEWANTTOCOACH