Actually, if you read their initial statement in its entirety it was a postponement and not a cancellation. They said that they would continually evaluate the decision. There is a lot more information now about the MLB, NBA and WNBA (what worked and what didn't) then there was when they made the initial decision. No doubt that other conferences standing their ground and lost revenues pushed the decision as well but to say that academia is hated and incompetent is a gross overstatement and exactly what is wrong with the country right now. Just because you don't agree with someone doesn't make them an idiot. You may hate them and think they are incompetent but as the parent of a Big 10 athlete I am glad that they are taking it seriously. I am also happy that the kids are having a season. It's possible to have both sentiments at the same time.
Initial Statement: https://bigten.org/news/2020/8...-21-fall-season.aspx