CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten appears in no hurry to change its status as the only major conference that doesn’t require its schools to schedule at least one nonconference game against another Power Four member each year. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said this week at the Big Ten media days event that any proposed scheduling decisions would have to wait until a final decision comes on playoff expansion. The Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team approach to replace the current 12-team format. That’s fine with many of the conference’s coaches and athletic directors.
CHICAGO (AP) — The College Sports Commission has approved $7.5 million in restructured name, image and likeness deals for 18 Nebraska football players. The decision comes after the deals were initially rejected and upheld by an arbitrator two months ago. Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen announced the approval at Big Ten media days in Chicago. The CSC had initially rejected the agreements between Nebraska multimedia rights partner Playfly and the players. The deals were restructured and resubmitted. Full payment to the players will be made after they fulfill their responsibilities. Schools can pay up to $21.3 million in revenue sharing in 2026-27.
CHICAGO (AP) — Pat Fitzgerald fought his way back to coaching in the Big Ten. Kyle Whittingham practically fell into it after 21 years at Utah. Now, they share similar missions in one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. Fitzgerald is Michigan State’s fourth coach in seven years, the latest in the Spartans’ search for a successor to Mark Dantonio, who delivered a CFP semifinal appearance in 2015 and a winning record against Michigan. The Wolverines, meanwhile, turned to Whittingham after Sherrone Moore was fired over an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
CHICAGO (AP) — Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith downplays his chances of winning a Heisman Trophy even though he’s generally regarded as college football’s top returning player regardless of position. Smith is more concerned with helping Ohio State win a second national title in three years. The Buckeyes are happy to have Smith back after opposing teams tried coaxing him into the transfer portal. Oregon is equally happy that quarterback Dante Moore came back to school when he could have been drafted in the first round. Their presence makes Ohio State and Oregon the Big Ten favorites.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate negotiators are working to resolve thorny differences with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences over revisions to a bill designed to regulate college sports that sponsors want a vote on before the chamber goes on summer break next week. Bill sponsor Ted Cruz of Texas says the conversations are ongoing. Cruz and co-sponsor Maria Cantwell of Washington are pushing to bring the Protect College Sports Act to a vote before Aug. 7, the last day the Senate meets before going on break. Senators return for the second half of September, before breaking for all of October -- leaving little time remaining before the November midterms.
UNDATED (AP) — Notre Dame and Ohio State reached lucrative jersey patch sponsorship deals totaling around $30 million as schools search for ways to cash in on the revenue-sharing era. Ohio State announced a multiyear jersey patch sponsorship deal with JPMorgan Chase. Terms of the deal were not released, but multiple outlets reported it at $17 million annually. Notre Dame also announced a jersey patch deal with SoFi Technologies worth $18 million to $20 million, according to multiple outlets. A sprawling $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement approved by a federal judge last month cleared the way for schools to directly pay players through licensing deals — and they’re already cashing in.
UNDATED (AP) — A reworked Senate bill aims to regulate college sports by more than doubling the money schools can share with players. The Protect College Sports Act proposes up to $25 million for a “retention” pool to pay athletes to stay on rosters. This is in addition to the $21.3 million schools are allowed to spend this season. The House settlement calls for 22% of certain revenues to be shared with athletes. The bill's future in the Senate remains uncertain.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten would do away with its championship game if college football adopts a 24-team playoff. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says that’s a worthwhile sacrifice to get his preferred postseason format. Pettiti mentioned this possibility back in May as he stepped up his push to expand the current 12-team playoff to 24. He made the point clear Tuesday by conceding a 24-team playoff would mean no Big Ten championship game. The bid to expand the playoff to 24 teams also has the support of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Notre Dame. The Southeastern Conference remains a holdout.
