The Big Ten’s proposed $2 billion-plus private capital deal is facing headwinds after a joint meeting Tuesday afternoon between trustees at Michigan and USC led to unified questions about the plan, sources who were on the call told ESPN.

The two schools discussed their shared skepticism during the call. One sticking point: The deal doesn’t address the root issue — soaring costs — that has made the need for cash so imperative for athletic departments. Just providing short-term money, sources said, does not solve that issue.

The schools also noted pending federal legislation that makes predicting the future of college athletics difficult as well as a general apprehension at selling equity in a university asset (the conference media rights).

Both Michigan and USC believe there are funding options that can provide superior terms and would like to slow the process and explore them, sources said. The goal, the meeting agreed, should be to help the Big Ten schools that need money but at the most favorable terms imaginable without giving up equity.

Although the questions are numerous, it is not certain how much influence the trustees can yield on the proposal, let alone change or even stop the process. The complicated agreement remains fluid and continues to be negotiated and worked on, meaning despite the current opposition, a deal still might be worked out.

That said, having two of the league’s biggest and most storied athletic brands against it is not insignificant.

The framework of the groundbreaking deal would send a significant infusion of money (in the range of $100 million at minimum) to each of the Big Ten schools. In exchange, the league would spin off a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would hold all leaguewide television rights and sponsorship contracts through 2046. Individual schools still would retain local radio and other deals.

Shares of ownership in Big Ten Enterprises would fall to the league’s 18 schools, the conference office and the capital group — an investment fund that’s tied to the University of California pension system. The UC pension fund would receive a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and would hold typical minority investor rights but no direct control, sources said. The exact equity amounts per school in Big Ten Enterprises are still being negotiated.

There is expected to be a small difference in the percentage of the remaining equity between the schools that would favor the league’s biggest athletic brands, but it is likely to be less than a percentage point. There is also expected to be a tier system for initial payments, with the lowest amount in the nine-figure range. Larger athletic departments could receive above $150 million.

The deal would call for an extension of the Big Ten’s grant of rights through 2046, providing long-term stability for the conference and making both further expansion and any chance schools leave for the formation of a so-called super league unlikely.

A conference-wide call with league presidents and athletic directors on the deal was tentatively planned for Thursday, but there might be more work to be done before then if winning Michigan and USC over is possible. No official vote has been scheduled.

“Setting up a structure that can maximize that activity is important,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said last week at the league’s basketball media days. “Whether or not we need a strategic investment to help us, we’ll determine. But it’ll be done by all 18 leaders, and I think it’s no different than looking at the other buckets that we have to maximize resources. It’s one other avenue that may or may not be available to us.”

Although governance over campuses varies by institution, both USC and Michigan have interim presidents, meaning their boards of trustees might carry more influence than normal, especially on a 10-figure deal that could span decades.

The pension fund is not a private equity firm, which has been attractive to the Big Ten and its schools. The UC fund valuation proved to be higher than other competing bids, sources said, which made it attractive.

The money infusion is believed to be acutely needed at a number of Big Ten schools that are struggling with debt service on new construction, rising operational expenses and providing additional scholarships and direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.

Just this week, Penn State terminated the contract of football coach James Franklin and could owe as much as $49 million, although that figure could be mitigated lower.

The Big Ten has argued that the deal would alleviate financial strain and help middle- and lower-tier Big Ten schools compete in football against the SEC.

Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo a new contract, while Chelsea and Juventus are set battle it out to sign Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on a free transfer. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Sources: Utd may extend Casemiro but salary key
– De Jong signs new Barcelona contract until 2029
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TRENDING RUMORS

– Chelsea plan to offer midfielder Moisés Caicedo a new contract to ward off interest from Real Madrid, according to TEAMtalk. Los Blancos are reported to be one of the sides keeping tabs on the 23-year-old but, following several impressive performances so far this season, it looks as though the Blues are set to reward him with improved terms to stay put at Stamford Bridge. And Caicedo’s long-term deal in West London isn’t set to expire until 2031 already.

– A race between Chelsea and Juventus could take place for Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Corriere dello Sport. The 30-year-old is set to enter the final six months of his contract in January and, having not yet signed an extension, multiple clubs across Europe (including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce) are tracking him with a view to getting him to sign a pre-contract agreement. The Serbia international has made four appearances in the Saudi Pro League side so far this season.

– Internazionale have joined the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, reports Tuttosport. Inter are reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation at Selhurst Park, with belief that he could be a strong replacement for Yann Bisseck, who could leave San Siro next summer. Guéhi remains on the radar of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Liverpool are leading the race for him after a £35 million move broke down on the final day of the summer transfer window.

– Brighton will dismiss offers to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba in January amid interest from the Premier League. TalkSPORT reports that the Seagulls have no plans to part ways with the 21-year-old during the middle of the season, with hopes of dissuading interested sides by asking for a £120 million fee. Meanwhile, Manchester United are set to prioritize a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, according to iNews, having placed him as their No. 1 priority ahead of Baleba amid their search for a midfielder. Wharton has also recently been linked with Real Madrid.

– A move for Dinamo Zagreb winger Cardoso Varela is being considered by Barcelona and Chelsea, reports Mundo Deportivo. The Blaugrana are closely monitoring the 16-year-old, with club sporting director Deco having already met with his representatives. While the Blues are also interested in Varela, whether the LaLiga club make a move for him is expected to hinge on if they decide to sign on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford permanently.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland looks at the likelihood of Real Madrid landing Moisés Caicedo.

Real Madrid’s summer rebuild — signing three defenders in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, plus a wide forward in Franco Mastantuono — didn’t include a central midfielder, which for many fans and pundits, should have been top of the list.

So far this season, Xabi Alonso has tended to pick Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde and Arda Guler as his midfield three, with Jude Bellingham coming back into the picture after his recovery from shoulder surgery. The team have mostly played well, but in the two biggest games of Alonso’s tenure so far — the Club World Cup semifinal against PSG, and the derby against Atletico — they’ve come up short, and it’s hard to escape the feeling that, despite the qualities of Tchouameni, Valverde et al, they’re still missing a really dominant, tempo-setting midfielder.

Is Caicedo that player? A contract until 2031 is clearly an issue. Madrid only pay big transfer fees for the most elite prospects, like Bellingham, and that contract duration means a free transfer would be a distant prospect. Here in Madrid, there’s been no reporting yet that Caicedo is a serious target.

OTHER RUMORS

play

Dawson: Man United should give Amorim until the end of the season

Rob Dawson and Mark Ogden discuss Ruben Amorim’s future at Man United.

– Clubs in Saudi Arabia are looking to sign Real Madrid center back Antonio Rudiger as he enters the final year of his deal. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Barcelona are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy and winger Karim Adeyemi. (Bild)

– There is an undisclosed release clause in the contract of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has been linked with both Manchester United and Liverpool. (TalkSPORT)

– Bayern Munich winger Adin Licina is being watched by Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. (Tuttosport)

– Clubs in the Premier League could be interested in signing Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, 37, if he becomes available as a free transfer. (Football Insider)

– Monaco will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to activate the permanent option clause in the loan deal of Barcelona winger Ansu Fati. (Sport)

– Juventus could need Fenerbahce defender Milan Skriniar to accept a lower salary for a move to become possible, with the 30-year-old earning close to €10m-per-season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Eintracht Frankfurt are open to parting ways with striker Elye Wahi, while they also hold interest in Newcastle forward Will Osula. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka wants to stay at the club, but they could still look to move him on. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the shortlist of Rangers as they continue their search for a head coach. (TEAMtalk)

– Premier League clubs Chelsea and Brighton are looking at Lazio defender Mario Gila. (Football Insider)

– Barcelona are planning to begin talks over a new contract with defender Eric Garcia. (Nicolo Schira)

– AS Roma and Juventus are monitoring the contract situation of Bologna midfielder Remo Freuler. (Nicolo Schira)

In Group A, Qatar defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in a crucial match in Doha. Second-half goals from captain Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel ensured the 2022 World Cup hosts qualified for next summer’s finals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Earlier, Qatar had struggled in World Cup history, becoming the first host nation in 2022 to lose all three group-stage matches. This victory, however, marked a successful qualification on merit.

Khoukhi opened the scoring four minutes into the second half with a header from Akram Afif’s free-kick, followed by Miguel doubling the lead on 74 minutes after capitalizing on a UAE goalkeeping error.

Despite a late red card for Tarek Salman and a stoppage-time goal from UAE substitute Sultan Adil, Qatar held on to seal their spot.

In Group B, Saudi Arabia booked their place at a third consecutive World Cup finals by securing a 0-0 draw with Iraq at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The 2034 hosts, who famously defeated Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, needed only a draw to advance to their seventh World Cup appearance.

Saudi Arabia had several chances to score, with Saud Abdulhamid, Saleh Abu Al Shamat, and captain Salem Al Dawsari all denied by Iraq’s goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. It was a crucial late save by Nawaf Al Aqidi that confirmed their qualification, sparking celebrations among the 60,000-strong crowd.

Meanwhile, Iraq, last participants in 1986, remain in contention for a World Cup spot. Next month, they will face the UAE in a two-legged playoff, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff.

South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal also advance

South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal all won convincingly on Tuesday to fill the last three automatic places reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup.

Senegal were the most impressive winners, hammering Mauritania 4-0, while Ivory Coast beat Kenya 3-0 and South Africa were also 3-0 winners, against Rwanda.

The trio will join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia at the global showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Nigeria kept alive hopes of swelling the African representation to 10 nations by finishing as the four best-ranked runners-up.

They will meet in two single-match semi-finals and a final in Morocco during November and the winners advance to inter-continental play-offs in March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored just before and after half-time for Group B table-toppers Senegal, with Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo also netting for the Teranga Lions.

Senegal finished with 24 points, two more than DR Congo, who edged Sudan 1-0 in Kinshasa through a Theo Bongonda goal.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo completed the scoring for the Ivory Coast, who led from the seventh minute in a convincing triumph over Kenya in Abidjan.

Franck Kessie put the reigning African champions ahead and Yan Diomande added the second goal soon after half-time.

Ivory Coast topped Group F with 26 points, one more than Gabon. Gambia overwhelmed the Seychelles 7-0 to come third.

Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis scored for South Africa in the first half and Evidence Makgopa sealed victory with a goal midway through the second period in Mbombela.

South Africa topped Group C with 18 points, one more than Nigeria, who hammered third-placed Benin 4-0 in Uyo with Victor Osimhen claiming a hat-trick.

It will be the fourth appearance by South Africa at the global showpiece. They qualified for the 1998 and 2002 tournaments and were automatic participants in 2010 as the host nation.

Amazing feeling

Belgium-born South Africa coach Hugo Broos was thrilled as he represented his country as a player at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and wanted to coach a team at the tournament before retiring.

“We all knew that we could do it, we believed in ourselves. We are going to the World Cup and it is fantastic,” said the 73-year-old.

“In the last three years we changed players and every time it was the right choice. What happened tonight is the work of three years and the future looks very bright for South African football.

“We have the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco during December and then the World Cup. There are no words to express how I feel.”

Winger Appollis was voted player of the match after scoring and creating the other goals as South Africa regained their scoring touch after failing to find the net in a draw with Zimbabwe last Friday.

“What an amazing feeling for the group going to the World Cup. I am so happy for the boys,” he told reporters.

“I know we had a draw in our last game, but I knew that we would come here to Mbombela tonight and win.”

Qualification was a huge relief for South Africa, who saw a five-point lead with four rounds remaining turn into a two-point deficit behind Benin entering the final round.

South Africa dropped points in home draws with Nigeria and Zimbabwe and forfeited three points for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a victory over Lesotho.

South Africa needed to beat Rwanda and hope Nigeria defeated Benin, and that is what transpired with the home teams making dream starts.

Nigeria were ahead within three minutes through Osimhen while Mbatha scored the first South African goal with just five minutes gone.

A snap shot from Appollis midway through the opening half put South Africa in control and Rwanda spent most of the match on the back foot.

Makgopa, a late call-up in place of the injured Iqraam Rayners, headed into the net off a corner on 72 minutes to complete the scoring.

Osimhen netted a second time before half-time and completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half. An added-time goal from Frank Onyeka completed the rout.

England rout Latvia

Harry Kane scored twice as England secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 5-0 thrashing of Latvia on Tuesday.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in Riga before Kane took his tally for club and country this season to 21 goals in 13 games.

A Maksims Tonisevs own-goal and Eberechi Eze’s strike rounded off the scoring as the Three Lions guaranteed top spot in Group K of UEFA qualifying with two games to spare.

Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task with ease as his side became the first European nation to qualify.

England have won all six of their qualifiers since the German took charge, scoring 18 goals without conceding.

“It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good,” said Tuchel. “In the dressing room, it’s all smiles, music. It’s a moment to enjoy because it’s a special moment.”

After a slow start to Tuchel’s reign with unconvincing victories over Albania and Andorra, plus a friendly defeat to Senegal in June, England have clicked into gear over the past two international breaks.

“Of course we expect us to win against Latvia, but the way we won first of all gives us a lot of satisfaction,” added Tuchel.

“We did it six out of six wins, six clean sheets. We are there and to have this feeling is a very unique feeling.”

Tuchel’s decision to leave out fit-again Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from his squad this month was questioned.

But the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss has been rewarded for implementing continuity with his selection.

Gordon is one of those to benefit from a run of games on the left of a front three.

The Newcastle winger opened the floodgates when he cut inside to curl into the far corner for just his second England goal on 26 minutes.

Building momentum

Kane had uncharacteristically missed a glorious early chance when he steered a Gordon cross wide.

The Bayern Munich striker soon found his range with two goals in four minutes at the end of the first half to take his international tally to 76 in 110 caps.

Despite losing his balance, Kane steered a shot into the far corner off his weaker left foot to double England’s lead.

Kane then accepted the gift of a soft penalty award for holding of his shirt by Latvia captain Antonijs Cernomordijs.

“I spoke before about building momentum, no matter who we play,” said Kane.

“We hold on to that. Hold on to winning games, to clean sheets, to pressing high, scoring goals and we’ve done all of that.”

England were able to coast through the second period despite five substitutions disrupting the visitors’s attacking flow.

The fourth goal was a self-inflicted blow by Latvia as the ball looped into his own net off Tonisevs after goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris failed to connect with Djed Spence’s cross.

Eze was one of those introduced after the break and the Arsenal playmaker rounded off the scoring with a fine run and finish on 86 minutes.

England have not failed to qualify for a World Cup since it was last in the USA back in 1994.

The hard work for Tuchel now starts in trying to deliver his adopted nation’s first major trophy since 1966.

Hard decisions lie ahead with Bellingham, Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer among those not even in the travelling squad to Riga.

But England will travel across the Atlantic in June among the favourites to win a first ever World Cup on foreign soil.