Big 12 opens media rights negotiations ahead of schedule; early exit for Oklahoma, Texas being considered

One of the few advantages the crippled Pac-12 had in realignment is that it was next in line among the major conferences to have its media rights contract renewed. At a time when there was a question whether there would even be a Pac-12 after the loss of USC and UCLA, that was everything.

That advantage disappeared Wednesday when the Big 12 announced it would soon enter into negotiations with its media partners, ESPN and Fox. The Big 12 contract that expires in 2025 could now conceivably be renegotiated and moved up ahead of the Pac-12. That conference’s deal with the same two networks expires in 2024.

“It’s a smart move for [the Big 12],” said a veteran media rights negotiator. “If you’re the Big 12, why wouldn’t you do this? … It doesn’t bind either side.”

What it does is create a possibility for the Big 12 to leapfrog

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South Carolina partners with sports marketing agency to become first major college program with in-house NIL firm

South Carolina is becoming the first major college athletic department to partner with a sports marketing agency to establish an in-house name, image and likeness firm, where Gamecocks athletes will have free access to deal facilitation, content generation and branding services.

The school has hired Everett Sports Management (ESM) to launch Park Ave, an exclusive initiative that will provide NIL services for Gamecocks athletes. South Carolina’s board of trustees on Tuesday afternoon approved the two-year, $2.2 million contract. Everett Sports Management, based in Greenville, SC, represents NFL players such as Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones and Jonathan Taylor, and handles NIL marketing for several college athletes, including Miami basketball players and social media stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett and Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall.

“There have been a lot of different approaches (toward NIL), and nobody has gone this way,” South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner told

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Manchester United are set to miss out on Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic – Paper Talk | Transfer Center News

All the top stories and transfer rumors from Sunday’s national newspapers…

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Manchester United are facing disappointment in their attempts to prize Christian Pulisic away from Chelsea.

Manchester United insiders believe the £70m signing of Casemiro is a ‘blessing’ that the club has ‘needed for some time’.

Ajax star Antony has refused to rule out a move to Manchester United after he was forced to train alone amid transfer interest from the Premier League club.

Former Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor has hit back at Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool boss criticized the winger’s attack on Manchester United.

Manchester United have been warned against ‘getting into bed’ with an American company with links to Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the UK Government.

Football’s rule-makers should encourage referees to specialize in video technology to improve the standard of officiating, the former official who pioneered VAR says.

Xavi has upped the

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Red & Black remain perfect on the season

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The Red & Black were looking to stay perfect on the season Saturday night as they hosted Auburn at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

Juston Williams and Kalon Jeter team up early in this game with a 43 yard reception setting up the first score of the game.

Eric Washington takes it in from 3 yards out.

Eric Beyler adds the extra point to put the Red & Black on top 7-0.

Later in the first quarter, it was Jonathan Williams with the interception. He takes it to the house from 30 yards out. The pat is good, 14-0 Watertown.

Red & Black defense is up once again as Derek Dalton and Jeremy Machia lead Watertown.

It was Jaquin Salmon with the interception, stopping an Auburn drive.

Later in the second quarter, Chris Furr shows off his tip drill skills 34 yards Juston Williams to

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Mets visit the Yankees to begin 2-game series

New York Mets (79-44, first in the NL East) vs. New York Yankees (74-48, first in the AL East)

New York; Monday, 7:05 pm EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Max Scherzer (9-2, 2.15 ERA, .93 WHIP, 134 strikeouts); Yankees: Domingo German (1-2, 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 23 strikeouts)

SPORTSBOOK FANDUEL LINE: Mets -166, Yankees +141; over/under is 7 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees open a two-game series at home against the New York Mets on Monday.

New York has a 43-20 record at home and a 74-48 record overall. The Yankees have a 41-20 record in games when they record at least eight hits.

New York has a 79-44 record overall and a 39-25 record on the road. The Mets have the second-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .330.

Monday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Andrew Benintendi is 12th

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Reds visit the Phillies to begin 4-game series

Cincinnati Reds (48-71, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (66-55, third in the NL East)

Philadelphia; Monday, 7:05 pm EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Luis Cessa (3-1, 5.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Phillies: Noah Syndergaard (7-8, 3.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 76 strikeouts)

SPORTSBOOK FANDUEL LINE: Phillies -242, Reds +197; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies begin a four-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

Philadelphia is 66-55 overall and 33-29 in home games. The Phillies have gone 30-11 in games when they hit two or more home runs.

Cincinnati has a 22-35 record in road games and a 48-71 record overall. The Reds have a 31-13 record in games when they scored five or more runs.

Monday’s game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 34 home runs, 62 walks and 71 RBI while

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Braves bring road win streak into matchup with the Pirates

Atlanta Braves (75-48, second in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-74, fifth in the NL Central)

Pittsburgh; Monday, 7:05 pm EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 54 strikeouts); Pirates: Roansy Contreras (3-3, 4.02 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 53 strikeouts)

SPORTSBOOK FANDUEL LINE: Braves -201, Pirates +168; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves will try to keep a six-game road win streak going when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh is 47-74 overall and 26-33 in home games. The Pirates have a 30-9 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.

Atlanta has gone 33-24 in road games and 75-48 overall. The Braves have the sixth-best team ERA in MLB play at 3.58.

The teams play Monday for the fifth time this season. The Braves are up 4-0 in the season series.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 14 doubles, three triples and

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Megan Rapinoe Had Brittney Griner Request: Sports World Reacts

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe at the World Cup.

REIMS, FRANCE – JUNE 11: Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates with teammate Megan Rapinoe after scoring her team’s twelfth goal during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Longtime United States women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe had a special, private request for president Joe Biden earlier this summer.

Rapinoe reportedly requested that Biden make more of an effort bringing Brittney Griner home.

Griner, the WNBA star, has been in custody in Russia since earlier this year. Griner was reportedly found with hash oil in a vape pen in her backpack at the airport. She’s been sentenced to nine years in prison.

“When Megan Rapinoe received a call from President Biden letting her know he was awarding her the Medal of Freedom, she used the opportunity to

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Head Coach Matt Eberflus Happy with Justin Fields’ Performance

Matt Eberflus Bears


Photo: ChicagoBears/Twitter

Although the Chicago Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday 19-14 at Soldier Field, it was the second- and third-string players who were responsible for scoring all 19 points. As a matter of fact, the starters didn’t look that great as a unit. However, according to Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus, he was very pleased with Justin Fields’ performance on Saturday.

“I thought it was good, I thought he operated good. I know he had a couple of drops there, they dropped a couple balls there. But we’ll get that cleaned up… his operation was good, his in and out of the huddle was good… overall it was a good performance.”

– HC Matt Eberflus’ initial thoughts on Justin Fields’ performance

Eberflus elaborated on Fields hurrying up on the Tajae Sharpe catch in order to avoid the Chiefs from challenging the play. His execution and process

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Shortage of officials could affect school sports in the Triangle :: WRAL.com

The fall high school sports season is already underway amidst a nationwide shortage of high school officials.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, around 50,000 people have stopped officiating since 2018/2019, the last year unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not easy to be a high school soccer referee, but it can be rewarding.

“You know, running up and down the field and staying involved with the play, that’s the biggest challenge,” said referee Steven Owoh. “Seeing the kids have fun because that’s what it’s all about and seeing them succeed.”

Some of these referees have been officiating games for over 10 years, some over 20.

Keeping these referees around can be challenging.

Mark Kadlecik assigns referees to games throughout the Triangle. He says even with a pool of 200 referees, it’s hard to make sure every game is covered

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