Conversations like that take place all the time. And I am sure this was one of a dozen conversations that Tom has had with ADs in the last few weeks. I am sure that UW has explored options with other schools too. Like any other scheduling agreement there is a lot of back and forth to reach an eventual compromise. These conversations happen in the context of confidentiality until a deal can be hammered out. With some of the uniqueness and urgency of the situation, I imagine that emotions ran higher than normal. I imagine someone in UW Athletic Department heard some frustration and decided to leak it to the press. I also imagine that the AD at UW wasn't exactly thrilled because it likely eroded some of the trust required for these conversations.

Everyone that covers CFB has to be familiar with this process, so why would they take what someone leaked completely at face value? It seems pretty unbelievable, but I think it is likely symptom of journalism in the age of speed/clicks/hot takes.