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.
Brendan Sorsby's acknowledgement of his gambling addiction this week is the latest in a series of bad headlines for college athletes. Sorsby is stepping away from the Texas Tech football team to seek treatment for a gambling addiction. Gambling industry consultant Keith Whyte is former executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. He says Sorsby's case is only the tip of the iceberg because athletes like him have elevated risk factors became they are young, male and are prone to risk-taking behaviors. Experts say there could be thousands of other male college athletes engaged in compulsive gambling.
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has taken an indefinite leave of absenceto enter a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction. Texas Tech says it is “committed to supporting Brendan through his recovery process and to ensure his long-term health and well-being.” Sorsby was one of the biggest names in this year’s transfer portal. He arrived from Cincinnati, which announced in February it would sue the quarterback for breaching his name, image and likeness contract. He began his college career at Indiana.
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby enters treatment program for a gambling addiction, school says.
Louisville and football coach Jeff Brohm have agreed to a new contract that runs through the 2033 season. That deal will pay an average of $8.1 million annually in base salary and retention payments. The school announced the agreement Thursday. That comes after Brohm has led Louisville to 28 wins in three seasons with his alma mater. That included the program’s lone appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in 2023. The Louisville native is 28-12 in his three seasons, becoming only the second coach in school history to win at least nine games in three straight seasons.
New and returning quarterbacks are among the top players to watch next season as Atlantic Coast Conference teams emerge from spring practices. The list includes players like California's Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returning to the Golden Bears after a strong freshman season. There are also players like Darian Mensah, who is now at Miami after leading Duke to last year's ACC title. The list of players to watch include transfer receivers like Rico Flores Jr. at Virginia and Que'Sean Brown at Virginia Tech, as well as Stanford tight end Benji Blackburn with a potential larger role ahead.
Ohio State has remained one of the nation’s top football programs under coach Ryan Day. However, what happens during the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft could put the Buckeyes in a group only two other schools have joined. If the mock drafts hold up, Ohio State would be the first school in 59 years to have four players selected in the top 10. Michigan State was the most recent to do it in 1967, with Notre Dame the first in 1946. There have been 12 instances of three players from one school going in the top 10, with the most recent being Alabama in 2021. Edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese could be the first defensive player off the board, followed by safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Carnell Tate, and linebacker Sonny Styles.
There is hearty mix of returning football players and Big 12 newcomers that will be worth a watch next fall. Reigning Big 12 champion Texas Tech returns a top linebacker in Ben Roberts even after the graduation of All-American Jacob Rodriguez. Oklahoma State added the FBS passing and rushing leaders along with a coaching change, with Caleb Hawkins and Drew Mestemaker coming with coach Eric Morris from North Texas.
Four Big 12 schools had a new head football coach for spring practice. Among them is 36-year-old Collin Klein at Kanas State, who was part of conference titles with the Wildcats as a Heisman Trophy-finalist quarterback in 2012, then as offensive coordinator 10 years later. Klein was away from K-State the past two seasons as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, which went to the College Football Playoff last year. Utah also has one of its former players as head coach, when Morgan Scalley was promoted from defensive coordinator. Jimmy Rogers takes over as Iowa State while Eric Morris is Oklahoma State’s new coach.
The Atlantic Coast Conference's three new coaches got their first looks at their teams in spring drills. Virginia Tech's James Franklin took over after a successful run at Penn State. He's been spending more time with the offense. And he kept former Hokies head coach Brent Pry on his staff to lead the defense. Out West, California and Stanford turned to alums to spark their programs. Notable developments from the spring also included Clemson bringing back Chad Morris for a second stint as offensive coordinator. And North Carolina's Bill Belichick hired Bobby Petrino to oversee the Tar Heels' attack.