No clarity on future football title game venues

CHICAGO -- The inaugural Big Ten championship game is set for Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianpolis. Where it goes after that was up for discussion during the Big Ten spring meetings.

Indianapolis had a contingent. led by Colts general manager Bill Polian, at the Hilton-Palmer House to make a pitch to Big Ten executives. The issue wasn't brought to a vote, however.

"It's still ongoing," Iowa athletics director Gary Barta said. "There are groups from the midwest primarily that are putting in bids. They'll make a run at how to package it, whether to make it all one site whether it's some at one sight and some at another site is still yet to be determined."

Barta said no timetable has been set, but the clock is ticking.

"It has to happen sooner rather than later," Barta said. "We know what we're doing this year, but the sooner we know the long term, the better."

The league also is evaluating future basketball tournament sites. It's been at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse the last four years. Next season is the last year of the current contract. The tournament also has been held in Chicago, with the last year being 2007.