Gray-Little says the potential spike in business for Medical Outfitters from KU was not odd because it coincided with a time when the university was expanding its equipment. She also pointed out that she was not here at that time and therefore did not know everything that took place at that time.

With that, the news conference ended, 12 minutes after it began.

The two talked about Perkins’ grand jury meeting only briefly and he told her he met with the grand jury for about two hours.

Gray-Little says, if you would’ve asked us a couple of days ago, I would’ve loved to be in the Big 12 as it stood. Since that’s not possible she hopes to be in “the conference” that best fits KU in all manners.

Technically, she says the realignment will be driven by chancellors and presidents but that athletic directors will have a great impact because they are “experts” in the area.

When Gray-Little and Perkins met earlier today, she expected it to be about realignment and said she was surprised by the topic of the conversation.

Gray-Little says that there have been no offers but that there are several options.

5:52 p.m. Update

Obviously, many things are happening and there are changes already to the Big 12, Gray-Little says.

One of the things they’ve focused on is who’s likely to remain in the Big 12 and then they’ll decide what actions to take.

5:50 p.m. Update

Gray-Little says she did not initiate the conversations about Perkins’ retirement and that he had not talked to her about it prior to today.

Part of his decision to retire, she says, may have been with the idea of allowing him to focus on what needs to be done regarding conference realignment.

5:45 p.m. Update

Gray-Little opens by reading from the statement she released earlier today. She opens the floor to questions following the statement.

5:35 p.m. Update

Legendary KU sports broadcaster Max Falkenstien is in the room, awaiting the arrival of the chancellor. Perkins is not expected to attend.

Original post

Camera crews and news organizations have descended upon the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, where Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little will speak to reporters at 5:45 p.m. regarding the announced retirement of KU athletic director Lew Perkins.

In a statement released to the media this afternoon, Gray-Little said: “Lew has led Kansas Athletics during a time of remarkable growth and success. A national championship in men’s basketball. Victory in the Orange Bowl. A full Fieldhouse for the WNIT final. And numerous awards and honors for KU student-athletes and teams.”

Perkins, who took over as KU AD in 2003, said he would remain with the university until September 2011. Gray-Little said she planned to work closely with Perkins in several aspects of Kansas Athletics during that time.

“I will also work closely with him to implement the decisive actions needed to ensure trust and confidence in our ticketing procedures,” she said. “I know this is an anxious time for Jayhawks. I want to reassure our fans that we have been proactive throughout the conference realignment discussions, and our efforts to advance the interests will remain extremely aggressive.”

Check back with LJWorld.com for live updates from Gray-Little’s news conference.