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U-M, USC opposition pauses $2.4B Big Ten deal

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2 months ago

November 18, 2025

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U-M, USC opposition pauses .4B Big Ten deal

Dan Wetzel
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Dan Wetzel

ESPN

Nov 17, 2025, 05:39 PM ET

A private capital plan that would have infused $2.4 billion into Big Ten athletic departments has been paused in the face of opposition from league members Michigan and USC.

UC Investments, which is tied to the pension fund of the University of California, announced Monday that it would wait for “unity” among conference schools before proceeding.

“We remain convinced that the unity of the 18 Big Ten university members is the key to the success [of the deal],” UC Investments said in a statement. “We also recognize that some member institutions need more time to assess the benefits of their participation. UC investments likewise requires some additional time to complete our due diligence as recent developments unfold and we continue to engage with the conference.”

The plan called for the league to spin off a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would house all league-wide media rights and sponsorship deals. In exchange for the $2.4 million, UC Investments would receive a 10-percent stake in Big Ten Enterprises.

The deal would also extend the league’s grant of rights an additional 10 years until 2046.

The $2.4 billion would be distributed to league schools on a tier basis, with all the programs receiving a minimum payment in the $100 million range. Some larger programs would receive higher payouts.

Despite being in the middle of a seven-year, $7 billion media rights package that runs through 2030, numerous schools are in need of money due to soaring operational costs, debt on stadium construction and renovations and revenue sharing with athletes.

The Big Ten itself and as many as 16 schools supported the deal. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti personally lobbied schools to back the plan. UC Investments called the Big Ten’s process “rigorous and highly professional.”

Michigan and USC would not waver though, with the Boards of Regents/Trustees of each school saying the plan was fiscally unsound and the concept of selling a league asset at odds with their fiduciary responsibility.

The schools also stated that it would be a band-aid on a larger issue of runaway expenses, with Michigan Regent Mark J. Bernstein dubbing it a “pay day loan” at a meeting last month.

On Monday, Michigan Regent Jordan Acker told SiriusXM radio that the school remained opposed and found it nearly impossible to sign a Grant of Rights extension for 21 years.

“[That] is a pretty big thing to do when you don’t know what college football is going to look like four or five years from now,” Acker said.

In response to news reports last week that the league office and 16 schools might proceed with the deal even without Michigan and USC, Acker said the Wolverines would explore all options for the future, including leaving the league and going independent. Michigan was a founding member of the conference in 1896.

“Michigan has a lot of options,” Acker said. “The possibility of independence for football is certainly something that has to be considered. Not today, but at the end of the Grant of Rights [in 2036].

“I think it’s something you have to think about,” Acker continued. “Not because we want to leave the Big Ten Conference [but] because the commissioner’s office has made it enormously clear that they’re going [proceed] without us. That would be the end of Michigan, as far as I can see, in the Big Ten Conference.”

The loss of one of the Big Ten’s most prominent brands, biggest television draws and most successful programs in both football and men’s basketball, would have shook the league and college athletics.

Acker noted that the league has repeatedly expanded its ranks — now 18 schools stretching from Southern California to New Jersey — in search of additional revenue, only to continue to need more and more money.

Thus far, neither the Big Ten nor UC Investments has been able to convince the trustees that the new plan could solve that problem.

The money infusion was believed to be acutely needed for schools who are struggling to pay down debt on new construction and budgeting for direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.

Illinois spent $20 million, or 11.8 percent of its expenditures in 2023-24, on debt service. Ohio State laid out $33.7 million, or 11.5 percent of its budget.

At most schools, the decision on the capital plan fell to university presidents and athletic directors. Neither USC nor Michigan currently has a president, but both have powerful Boards that oversee the operations of the schools.

Michigan’s 8-person BoR is publicly elected, which members say requires significant fiduciary responsibility and public accountability. That, they believe, differs from presidents and athletic directors, who are often on the job for just a short period of time.

UC Investments has not given up on the plan. In its statement it said it will continue to work with Petitti and the league to “allow all [Big Ten] members to evaluate the benefits of our potential investment in Big Ten Enterprises.”

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Biggest upcoming tests for the five undefeated men’s basketball teams

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2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

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Biggest upcoming tests for the five undefeated men’s basketball teams

Jeff BorzelloJan 12, 2026, 09:00 AM ET
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The ranks of the unbeaten shrunk from six to five this past weekend — with arguably the least likely loser suffering its first defeat of the campaign.

Michigan, which was beating teams by an average of more than 30 points entering last week, played with fire on the road at Penn State with a two-point win on Tuesday then gave up 54 second-half points to Wisconsin on Saturday en route to a 91-88 loss.

Now just five unbeatens remain: Arizona, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Nebraska and Miami (Ohio).

Which will be the next to lose? Which will be the last remaining unbeaten? Which teams have staying power?

Let’s take a look at how each got here and the biggest upcoming tests.

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a story that first published on Dec. 29, 2025.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 1

How they got here: Behind an exceptional debut from freshman Koa Peat (30 points), Arizona opened the season with a win over reigning champion Florida in Las Vegas and has racked up more quality wins since then. The Wildcats hold victories over UConn, Alabama, UCLA, Auburn and San Diego State, with only one of those coming on their home floor in Tucson. Their defeat of UConn in Storrs was one of the most impressive wins we’ll see from any team this season. And they cruised to blowout wins over Utah, Kansas State and TCU to start Big 12 play.

Why they’re unbeaten: Coach Tommy Lloyd has a tougher, more physical team than usual that could deliver the program its first Final Four since 2001. The roster is extremely well-balanced. Peat was sensational early, but his classmate Brayden Burries has been the offensive focal point of late. Jaden Bradley looks like one of the best point guards in the country as a senior, and the center duo of Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka has few peers. Arizona is incredibly dominant inside but shoots better than 37% from 3. The Wildcats are also ranked in the top five nationally in defensive efficiency.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 26 at BYU

Arizona’s Big 12 schedule is backloaded; the Wildcats won’t face Kansas, Texas Tech, Houston, Baylor or Iowa State until February. A Jan. 17 trip to UCF could be tricky, but Arizona should win that one, too. So we’ll circle the Wildcats’ trip to Provo for a date with potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa and coach Kevin Young’s top-10 Cougars.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 3

How they got here: After losing scorers Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones from last season’s roster, there were questions about whether coach TJ Otzelberger could keep the momentum rolling for another campaign. But it was Iowa State’s trip to Las Vegas that opened eyes. The Cyclones beat St. John’s in their Players Era Festival opener, then blew out Creighton and Syracuse. And if there were any remaining doubts, those were answered with a stunning 81-58 win over then-No. 1 Purdue — in West Lafayette. They backed that up with a victory over rival Iowa less than a week later then opened Big 12 play with a trio of double-digit wins over West Virginia, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

Why they’re unbeaten: As is typically the case with an Otzelberger-coached team, the key revolves around the defensive end. Iowa State is again one of the country’s elite defenses, forcing turnovers at a higher rate than all but two teams. Tamin Lipsey is known as a top-notch defender, but freshman Killyan Toure has provided another high-level on-ball defensive player. Joshua Jefferson has taken the next step in his development and become an All-American-caliber player, and Milan Momcilovic has been the best shooter in the country so far this season. As a team, Iowa State shoots nearly 41% from 3, ranking No. 3 nationally.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 13 at Kansas

Despite Kansas’ recent struggles, a trip to Allen Fieldhouse always poses problems for visiting teams — especially with Darryn Peterson back and seemingly healthy enough to play 30-plus minutes. Iowa State’s Big 12 schedule is also backloaded, with a six-game stretch in February and March including matchups against Kansas, Houston, BYU, Texas Tech and Arizona.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 11

How they got here: Vanderbilt’s win over Alabama last Wednesday was its biggest victory of the season, even if it has since lost some luster following the Tide’s home loss to Texas. But the Commodores have also dominated a slew of very solid opponents with a 12-point win over UCF, a 15-point win over VCU, a 25-point win over Saint Mary’s, a 19-point win over SMU, an overtime road win at Memphis and a 31-point blowout of Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. Vandy ranks in the top 10 across nearly every metric, both from a résumé and efficiency standpoint.

Why they’re unbeaten: Coach Mark Byington has an experienced, explosive unit. The Commodores are one of only six teams to rank in the top 12 in both offensive and defensive rating at KenPom, and both ends of the court are headlined by the backcourt of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles. Tanner is arguably the most underrated point guard in the country, while Miles has rediscovered his high-level scoring ability from two seasons ago at High Point. Both are also exceptionally disruptive defensively, ranking in the top 25 nationally in steals rate. Tyler Nickel has already made 8 3-pointers in a game twice this season. And Devin McGlockton is the ultimate glue guy.

Biggest upcoming test: Saturday vs. Florida

Vandy and Florida look like the best teams in the SEC, and this weekend will be the only time the two face off. The backcourt battle will be key, given the way Tanner and Miles have been playing. Boogie Fland had his best game as a Gator over the weekend, but he and Xaivian Lee haven’t quite found consistency. The key to this matchup is likely whether Vandy can match Florida’s size up front.

Record: 16-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: 10

How they got here: Nebraska actually holds the nation’s longest active winning streak, dating to last season’s four-game run to win the College Basketball Crown. The Cornhuskers had some early notable wins over Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas State on neutral courts but really began to make waves when they ran off a 21-point win over Creighton, a 30-point win over Wisconsin and a road win at Illinois in a one-week span. They then erased remaining doubts by beating Michigan State at home before going on the road to beat Ohio State and Indiana.

Why they’re unbeaten: The Cornhuskers take care of the ball, make 3s and are experienced — it’s a recipe that works. Even back in his days at the helm of Iowa State, Fred Hoiberg typically had one of the more prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country. That has been taken to a new level this season, with Nebraska attempting more than 50% of its shots from beyond the arc. Four players are making at least one 3 per game; three are shooting 38% or better from 3. The return of all-conference forward Rienk Mast, who sat out last season because of a knee injury, has been huge. And Pryce Sandfort is enjoying a breakout season after transferring from Iowa last spring.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 27 at Michigan

Nebraska was able to navigate a difficult three-game stretch to open 2026, which should provide some optimism it will be able to manage its next four games before the showdown in Ann Arbor. The Cornhuskers will have trouble with Michigan’s size, but their ability to generate open shots — particularly from the perimeter — should keep the contest close.

Record: 17-0
Jan. 5 AP Top 25 ranking: Unranked (30th in votes)

How they got here: It helps that the RedHawks have the No. 364 strength of schedule (out of 365 teams) in the country, according to average opponent NET rank. Of their first 13 wins, 12 came against teams ranked in the 200s or 300s at KenPom. But winning at Wright State by seven is a legitimately solid victory — then they came out in MAC play with notable win after notable win. They won at Bowling Green, beat preseason favorite Akron at home and nabbed another victory at perennial contender Toledo. It’s also worth noting that coach Travis Steele’s team has been handling most of its opponents with relative ease, ranking in the top 45 nationally in scoring margin.

Why they’re unbeaten: Even considering the caliber of opposition, Miami has been performing on the offensive end at an extremely high level. The RedHawks have scored at least 1.13 points per possession in all but one game this season and rank No. 6 in the country in offensive rating, according to CBB Analytics. They’re averaging nearly 93 points, rank first nationally in field goal percentage and are top five in 3-point percentage. Steele has them humming at that end of the court — nine different players have already scored at least 15 points in a game this season, with six making double-digit 3s total this season.

Biggest upcoming test: Jan. 20 at Kent State

Arguably the two toughest tests of Miami’s MAC season are out of the way — at Bowling Green and vs. Akron — and the RedHawks are projected to be favored in every game the rest of the season. But road trips in league play are always challenging, and the conference is filled with potential losses. One of those is Kent State, which has lost only one home game this season. The Golden Flashes have a veteran coach in Rob Senderoff, they’re experienced and they play fast.

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WATCH: Melbourne captain retires Mohammad Rizwan during BBL 15 game

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4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

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WATCH: Melbourne captain retires Mohammad Rizwan during BBL 15 game

Muhammad Rizwan of the Renegades bats during the BBL match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades at ENGIE Stadium, on January 12, 2026, Sydney, Australia. — AFP

Melbourne Renegades retired Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan during their Big Bash League (BBL) 15 game against Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showground Stadium on Monday.

A video posted by the BBL on social media captured Renegades captain Will Sutherland calling Rizwan back to the pavilion so he could take his place at the crease.

The former Pakistan captain was on 26 off 23 balls when he was called back to the pavilion.

Fans reacted strongly to the right-handed batter being forced to retire out, calling it an embarrassment, as the video quickly went viral on social media.

However, Sutherland failed to make a meaningful contribution, as he was run out for just one run.

In the match against Thunder, Renegades batted first and posted 170-8 in their 20 overs.

Hassan Khan top-scored with 46 off 31 balls, hitting one four and four sixes, while openers Josh Brown and Tim Seifert added 35 and 29 runs, respectively.

For Sydney Thunder, David Willey, Ryan Hadley and Wes Agar claimed two wickets apiece.

Rizwan has struggled with the bat in the ongoing BBL edition, scoring 167 runs in eight matches at an average of 20.88, without registering a fifty.

Rizwan and Babar Azam, who have featured consistently in major tournaments since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE, have been sidelined from Pakistan’s T20I side in recent months.

Both senior players were dropped after the three-match T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, with the selectors prioritising young talent ahead of T20 World Cup.

However, they continue to represent the national side in the ODI and Test format.

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