NCAA DIGEST


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Big 12 reaches TV deal with Fox Sports

A year after nearly losing his conference’s premier powerhouses, Oklahoma and Texas, to the Pac-10, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe secured a 13-year cable TV deal with Fox Sports for the now-10-team conference.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Sports Business Journal reported the contract, beginning with the 2012 football season, is worth an estimated $90 million per year.

“This landmark agreement positions the Conference with one of the best television arrangements in collegiate sports,” Beebe said at a press conference. “It exceeds the benchmarks as we move forward with our 10 members by providing significant revenue growth and increased exposure while allowing institutions to retain selected rights.”

Under its new agreement, all Big 12 home football games will air on ABC/ESPN, a Fox network (either FX or Fox Sports) or a school’s own station such as Texas’ new “Longhorn Network.” Schools have the option to retain the rights to one home game per season with the opportunity to broadcast it on its own network.

The Big 12 also has a deal with ABC/ESPN expected to run through the 2015-2016.

By comparison, the SEC generated $205 million in revenue through its TV agreements this year, while the Big Ten produced $220 million. The soon-to-be Pac-12, however, made just $60 million.

New Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is in the midst of negotiating a new television contract.

 

—Joey Kaufman

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Four-star spurns USC for Texas Tech

Four-star defensive tackle Delvon Simmons (McKeesport, Pa.) signed a letter of intent with Texas Tech on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.

Simmons, who originally signed a LOI with North Carolina on Feb. 2, listed USC, along with Pittsburgh, as a finalist before agreeing to join the Red Raiders.

“Delvon has the ability to be a difference-maker in our program,” Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said in a statement. “He is an explosive and disruptive player and an outstanding athlete. We are thrilled to have him.”

The 6-foot-5 prospect was released from his LOI with the Tar Heels when defensive line coach Brian Baker bolted for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Ranked as a top-five defensive tackle by both Scout.com and Yahoo! Sports’ Rivals.com, Simmons is also a member of the 2011 Rivals100 list as one of the top 100 players nationally.

—Joey Kaufman

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USC-Pepperdine rescheduled

USC baseball’s suspended game with Pepperdine will be completed May 24, prior to an originally scheduled game between the two teams at Dedeaux Field.

Last Tuesday’s game against the Waves was originally suspended because of darkness, with the score tied 5-5 going into the top of the 12th inning. Pepperdine’s Eddy D. Field Stadium does not have lights.

The Trojans and Waves had a game originally scheduled for 3 p.m. at Dedeaux Field to complete the would-be home-and-home. Now, the teams will complete the suspended game, with Pepperdine as the home team. Thirty minutes after completion, they will start the originally scheduled game with USC as the home team.

 

—Nick Burton