DALLAS (AP) — The Big 12 is the first known conference in major college sports to strike a league-wide, private capital deal. Multiple people with knowledge of the agreement tell The Associated Press that the Big 12 has a five-year agreement with RedBird Capital Partners. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side announced the deal, which was ratified by Big 12 presidents and chancellors last week. The partnership is designed to grow revenue for the league at a time when some schools are strapped for cash. RedBird will provide the conference with a $12.5 million capital infusion and offer up to a $30 million line of credit for each Big 12 school. RedBird will have no ownership stake in the Big 12 or its revenues, and no operational or governance oversight.
UNDATED (AP) — The SEC’s reign as the kings of the first round of the NFL draft was toppled by the Big Ten. The conference remained in the top spot for the entire draft after the SEC set a record for the number with 87 players picked over the three days. Thanks to recent national champions Indiana and Ohio State, the Big Ten led the way with 10 first-round picks, marking the first time the SEC didn’t have the most players taken in round one since 2015. The SEC had only seven for its lowest total since 2015.
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger has agreed to a 10-year contract extension that will increase his annual salary to $6 million. Otzelberger led the Cyclones to a 29-8 record and their third NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in five years this past season. He is 124-53 since becoming head coach in 2021-22. The Cyclones have appeared in 52 consecutive Associated Press Top 25 polls and were No. 8 in the final rankings. Otzelberger is the only coach in program history to lead multiple teams to the Sweet 16 and his 30 wins over Top 25 opponents is a school record.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The NCAA has agreed to overhaul its restrictions on athletes accepting prize money before enrolling in college under the terms of a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit brought North Carolina tennis champion Reese Brantmeier. The NCAA agreed to pay $2.02 million in damages to Brantmeier and former Texas tennis player Maya Joint under terms of the settlement reached Tuesday. According to documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, the elimination of restrictions to prize money before initial full-time enrollment applies to student-athletes in all sports.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Tyran Stokes, the top basketball recruit in the country, has announced his commitment to Kansas. He made the decision Tuesday on ESPN's "Inside the NBA." The 6-foot-7 forward from Seattle's Ranier Beach High School is known for his scoring ability, including a 63-point game last season. Stokes had narrowed his choices to Kansas and Kentucky after Oregon dropped out. One of hte big questions was whether he would play for Kansas, one of the flagship adidas schools. He signed an NIL deal with Nike last year. Kansas has been busy rebuilding its roster after losing one-and-done star Darryn Peterson to the NBA and several high-profile transfers.
