The First Whistle: Another Coach Bites the Dust

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COLLEGE ATHLETICS INVESTMENTS

University board members mount opposition campaign to Big Ten investment proposal 

Board members at several Big Ten universities say they’ve been shut out of details surrounding the conference’s proposed $2.4 billion investment deal and are pushing back to regain oversight. Many trustees, who typically must approve major financial decisions, were told their input wouldn’t be needed.

What’s in the Proposal
The deal would spin off conference assets into a private entity called Big Ten Enterprises and sell a 10% stake to UC Investments. It would also lock schools into a grant of rights through 2046. Multiple board members say they still haven’t been given basic documents or explanations.

Why Trustees Are Objecting
Trustees argue the process has been unusually secretive and raises larger questions about who has authority over major university financial decisions, especially at public schools using taxpayer funds. Some have involved the American Council of Trustees and Alumni to pressure for transparency.

Possible Next Steps
Despite opposition from schools like Michigan and USC, the conference may still push toward a vote. In response, trustees are considering litigation, urging lawmakers to intervene or pressuring university presidents to share details or oppose the deal.

💰️ Read full Front Office Sports article here

COLLEGE FOOTBALL LEGAL ISSUES

Rose Bowl, city file restraining order to keep UCLA from ending lease

Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company have filed for a temporary restraining order to stop UCLA from leaving the Rose Bowl for SoFi Stadium while their ongoing lawsuit plays out.

The Legal Claim
The city argues UCLA is violating its existing lease, which requires the school to play home football games at the Rose Bowl through 2043 and prohibits hosting games at any other Los Angeles or Orange County area venue. They say UCLA’s “imminent departure” would cause immediate and irreparable harm.

Background
UCLA has played at the Rose Bowl since 1982, but is exploring a move to SoFi Stadium, which is closer to campus. Attendance this season has averaged around 39,000 in a venue that seats nearly 89,000.

UCLA’s Position
The school says it is still evaluating long-term options and has not made a final decision. UCLA declined further comment after Monday’s filing. A hearing is expected Wednesday.

🌹 Read full ESPN article here

PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUES

Project B basketball league says it has no Saudi funding

Project B, a new international basketball league launching in 2026, continues to face questions about its funding sources, particularly potential ties to Saudi Arabia. Those concerns intensified this week when WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike became the first player to sign with the league.

Funding Questions
Early reports suggested Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was involved, but co-founder Grady Burnett now says the league has taken no Saudi money. However, Sela, an events company owned by the Saudi PIF, is a paid event partner. Sela has not commented.

Player Backlash
Ogwumike’s signing prompted renewed concerns within the WNBA about aligning with Saudi-affiliated entities. Some league sources worry it could undermine players’ long-standing history of activism, which has been central to the WNBA’s identity.

Investment and Structure
Project B has not disclosed how much capital it has raised but previously targeted $5 billion. Investors include several venture firms and tech angels. The league plans to offer multimillion-dollar salaries and equity, far higher than WNBA pay, and will feature six women’s teams playing global tournaments, with a men’s league also planned.

🏀 Read full Front Office Sports article here

PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL

LOVB welcomes Houston Texans as ownership group of Houston pro team

League One Volleyball (LOVB) has named Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an affiliate of the Houston Texans, as the new ownership group for LOVB Houston. Texans leadership Cal and Hannah McNair led the investment, expanding their involvement in Houston sports and women’s athletics.

Why It Matters
LOVB operates a “community-up” model that connects youth clubs, college athletes, and pros. In Houston, that includes the Houston Skyline junior club, which supports more than 1,300 athletes. The McNairs say the investment aligns with their focus on growing sports opportunities for women and youth.

Team + 2026 Season
LOVB Houston announced its 2026 schedule, beginning Jan. 8 at the Berry Center, with 10 home matches split between the Berry Center and Fort Bend County Epicenter. The roster features Olympians Jordan Thompson and Micha Hancock, plus NCAA champion Jess Mruzik.

Bigger Picture
LOVB continues expanding its footprint, now operating the nation’s largest youth volleyball platform and a growing pro league with teams in six cities and Los Angeles joining in 2027. The organization’s ownership model combines team and league equity to support long-term growth.

🏐 Read full LOVB article here

COLLEGE SPORTS BROADCASTING

New-look Pac-12 adds USA Sports to growing broadcast portfolio

The Pac-12 has added USA Sports, Versant Media’s new sports division, to its broadcast lineup beginning next season, marking another key step in the conference’s rapid rebuild after its 2023 collapse.

What’s in the Deal
Under a new five-year agreement, USA Network will air 22 Pac-12 football games, 50 men’s basketball games, and 5–10 women’s basketball games each year. USA Sports will also carry the men’s basketball tournament through the semifinals, with the title game on CBS. Pac-12 Enterprises will produce all broadcasts. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Why It Matters
The partnership links two newly rebuilt entities: the reimagined Pac-12 and the newly created USA Sports. USA Sports will make the Pac-12 its only college football property, adding to the league’s media lineup with The CW and CBS.

Rebuild Context
After losing 10 schools in 2023, Washington State and Oregon State kept the conference alive through litigation and new scheduling partnerships. In 2024, the Pac-12 added seven new members, including five from the Mountain West.

What’s Next
The conference is still shopping additional media rights deals as it continues its aggressive reconstruction.

📺️ Read full Front Office Sports article here

Start 2/Bench 2

⬆️ NBA. Strong early viewership under the NBA’s new media deal with Amazon, ESPN/ABC, and NBC is fueling big expectations. The league is projecting $14.3 billion in revenue this season, a 12% jump from last year. - Kurt Badenhausen

⬆️ Jameis Winston. The Giants have announced Jameis Winston as their starter for Sunday, with Jaxson Dart in concussion protocol and Russell Wilson backing him up. This is the first depth-chart move under interim coach Mike Kafka. – Michael Baca

⬇️ Brian Daboll. New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has been fired after a 2-8 start, ending a tenure that began with promise but faltered over the past three and a half seasons. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach. - Nick Shook

⬇️ LSU. Brian Kelly is suing LSU after the school said it had not formally fired him and is now seeking to terminate him “for cause” to avoid paying his $54 million buyout. His lawyers argue the dismissal was performance-related and that LSU never followed proper “for-cause” procedures. - Dan Wetzel