Sports
No vote on Big Ten capital deal; some urge caution
A decision on the Big Ten’s proposed private capital deal does not appear imminent in the wake of a Thursday meeting of the league’s presidents and chancellors.
No vote was taken on the conference call, as leagues rarely do so on any issue that won’t be unanimously approved.
The Big Ten said in a statement that conversations are ongoing.
Earlier Thursday, University of Michigan regents criticized the proposed deal, illustrating how tenuous completing it will be. Regent Mark Bernstein dubbed the deal “a payday loan.” Another regent, Jordan Acker, compared it to opening a new credit card to pay off debt.
The plan calls for the league to spin off a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, that will house all leaguewide media rights and sponsorship deals. A University of California pension fund will receive a 10% stake in exchange for a cash infusion of over $2 billion to conference athletic departments. The deal also would extend the league’s grant of rights until 2046.
The Big Ten is in the middle of a seven-year, $7 billion media rights package that runs through 2030. Numerous schools, however, need money from soaring operational costs, revenue sharing with athletes and significant debt on stadium constructions and renovations.
Michigan and Southern California have emerged as opponents of the groundbreaking deal, details of which are still being negotiated. The deal does enjoy support among a majority of league schools, as well as from Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti. Whether the deal can pass without unanimous support is unknown.
In its statement Thursday, the Big Ten said it “remains committed to modernizing the operations of our conference, strengthening conference stability, preserving Olympic and women’s sports, and enhancing the student-athlete experience.
“The conference has provided an option from a nonprofit partner — not private equity — that meets those objectives. Ultimately, it is the decision of the Big Ten member institutions’ presidents and chancellors to decide if it’s the right opportunity and those conversations are ongoing.”
At a previously scheduled meeting of Michigan trustees, multiple regents blasted the proposal as shortsighted and not addressing college athletics’ underlying spending problem. Acker said it was the latest short-term strategy to raise money. He noted the league has expanded four times since 2011 to generate more revenue but again is being told it has to rush into another deal.
“Now, we have to do this deal; giving away 10% of future media revenue for the next 21 years even though no one knows what college athletics or media will look like?” Acker said.
Acker brought up regrets inside the ACC for a 2013 deal that extended its grant of rights through 2036.
“The ACC once thought a long-term deal was a good idea,” he said. “Within a few years, they were suing each other.”
Acker said Michigan hired third-party “consultants and banks,” including the multinational financial institution Barclays, and all were “unequivocal in their opposition. They recommend different ways to address deficits and raise money. They say we can do it more efficiently without selling assets.”
“We understand the responsibility to lift all boats and to help schools that need money to get that money,” Acker said. “It just has to be on the best financial terms possible. The Big Ten doesn’t need to be sold to save college sports. It needs to lead to save college sports.”
Bernstein followed by criticizing the league for demanding quick action, claiming the “contrived urgency is mysterious.” He called the deal “reckless” and a “payday loan.”
“It is the job of the board to protect the future from the present,” he said.
Michigan Regent Sarah Hubbard said further study was needed, and noted that given the board’s mission to protect the assets of the university, it would not be pressured.
“We will not be rushed by false deadlines or pressure from those that do not hold the fiduciary responsibilities we do,” Hubbard said.
The framework of the groundbreaking Big Ten deal would send a significant infusion of money (a minimum of at least the $100 million range) to each of the league’s 18 schools. Shares of ownership in Big Ten Enterprises would fall to those schools, the conference office and the capital group — an investment fund that is tied to the University of California pension system. The UC pension fund would receive the 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and would hold typical minority investor rights but no direct control, according to sources.
The exact equity amounts per school in Big Ten Enterprises are still being negotiated. There is expected to be a small gap in the percentage of the remaining equity among the schools that would favor the league’s biggest athletic brands, but it’s likely to be less than a percentage point. There is also expected to be a tier system for initial payments, but with the lowest amount in the nine-figure range. Larger athletic departments could receive an amount above $150 million.
An extension of the Big Ten grant of rights through 2046 would provide long-term stability for the league and make both further expansion and any chance schools leave for the formation of a so-called “Super League” unlikely.
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 told ESPN, and that made it attractive.
The money infusion is believed to be acutely needed at a number of Big Ten schools that are struggling paying down debt on new construction and budgeting for direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.
In 2023-24, Illinois spent $20 million, or 11.8% of its expenditures, paying down debt, according to Sports Illustrated. Ohio State laid out $33.7 million, or 11.5% of its budget.
Lisandro Martínez has challenged Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt to repeat their criticism to his face after the pair said Erling Haaland would make the Manchester United defender look like “a little toddler” in the Manchester derby.
Speaking on a podcast ahead of the game, Butt predicted Haaland would “pick Martinez up and run with him” and their battle at Old Trafford would be rememble “a dad after school running down the road with a little toddler.”
Scholes followed up with “he’d score, then throw him in the net.”
But after Martinez kept Haaland quiet during United’s impressive 2-0 win, the Argentinian hit back at the former players — and Scholes, in particular.
“Honestly, he can say whatever he wants,” Martinez said. “I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.”
United are known to be unhappy at the comments from Scholes and Butt, believing it was an attempt to mock Martinez rather than offer any constructive analysis.
Both Scholes and Butt have been at Old Trafford recently with the pair spotted in the directors’ boss alongside Sir Alex Ferguson for United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup the weekend before the derby — a game Martinez played in.
“I think for me, I respect the relations [ex-players] when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television but when you see [them] here face to face, no one says anything in your face,” Martinez continued.
“So for me, I don’t really care what they say. I just put the focus on my performance, the performance of the team and I give everything to this club until my last day.”
Martinez’s display against Haaland — who was substituted early by Pep Guardiola — was key for United as Michael Carrick masterminded victory over City in his first game as head coach.
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The 44-year-old was only appointed on Tuesday and took training for the first time on Wednesday, Still, Martinez said the former United midfielder was able to quickly make an impression on the squad.
“It’s so different, so different,” he said. “Different mentality, different guy. He [Carrick] knows what this club really means. He sent us that message that he played here for a long, long time.
“He won everything. He is a big legend. He wants to help the club and I think we were in a tough situation and it was the best moment to change that.”
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) governing council’s working committee held a late-night meeting to discuss key matters for the upcoming season, including the player auction and retention policies, sources told Geo News on Sunday.
According to insiders, the committee agreed to introduce a player auction for PSL 11 and also finalised the rules for player retention.
The committee’s decisions will be sent to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for final approval, with the option of convening a full governing council meeting if required.
Sources revealed that the defending champions Lahore Qalandars, along with Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Hyderabad, voted in favour of the player auction model.
Peshawar Zalmi and the Sialkot franchise also voted in favour of the ‘drauction’ system, sources said.
It was also confirmed that the five existing franchises agreed on retaining four players each, one in each category, with one player eligible to be brought into a lower category and designated as a brand ambassador, sources said.
The new franchises, meanwhile, will select their remaining players from the general player pool through the auction system. Two new franchises, however, insisted on zero retention.
“The remaining players will be auctioned, and franchises will pick their players in the auction,” sources said.
The final formula for the PSL 11 auction and retention rules will be submitted to Mohsin Naqvi, with an official announcement expected within the next one or two days.
Sources said there is a possibility that it will not be made mandatory to include a player from the Emerging category in the playing XI.
The PSL auction is likely to be held during the first week of February, sources said.
Earlier, Naqvi advised franchise owners to increase the players’ salary cap as the marquee league enters a new era with the addition of two new teams.
Highlighting the rise in franchise market value, he encouraged teams to adopt the auction model.
“Conduct an auction of players in the PSL 11 draft and select players of your choice — they will benefit from it,” Naqvi told franchise owners during the meeting.
PSL 11 is set to begin on March 26, marking a significant milestone as the league expands from six to eight teams with the inclusion of new franchises from Sialkot and Hyderabad.
The historic PSL 2026 auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8 this year, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers secure ownership of the new franchises for Rs 1.75 billion and Rs 1.85 billion, respectively.
Trump arrives at 2025 Army-Navy game
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others arrive at the Army-Navy game just outside of Washington, D.C., and salute during the national anthem.
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President Donald Trump said Saturday that he plans to sign an executive order protecting the broadcast slot for the Army-Navy football game.
Trump’s announcement on Truth Social comes amid a push to expand the NCAA College Football Playoff, which could potentially affect the Army-Navy game’s traditional time slot.
“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!” Trump wrote. “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!”
PROTESTS ERUPT OUTSIDE ARMY-NAVY GAME AMID TRUMP’S ATTENDANCE
President Donald Trump walks onto the field with Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, left, and Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, right, unseen, before the start of the 126th Army-Navy NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Baltimore. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
The president said his executive order will secure an exclusive four-hour broadcast window in December for the event that cannot be challenged by another postseason football game.
“Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy!” Trump said. “I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!”
President Donald Trump (C) greets players after the coin toss and before the start of the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Trump praised the rivalry, adding that “on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart.”
“We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us,” he added. “Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets.”
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President Donald Trump walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Trump attended the 126th installment of the rivalry game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 13, his seventh appearance at the game. The Navy Midshipmen captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy with a 17-16 victory over Army.
The president said he will also attend the College Football Playoff championship Monday in Miami, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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