Commish: Money is there to compete
LOS ANGELES» Although the Pac-12 remains behind some of its peers in revenue distribution, commissioner Larry Scott maintains confidence in the conference’s model going forward.
During the 2017 fiscal year, the Pac-12 topped the $500 million mark in revenue ($509 million) for the first time and distributed about $30.9 million to each of its 12 schools.
The SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 all topped $34 million per school in the 2017 fiscal year, and there are projections that those conferences will further distance themselves in the future.
Scott, however, believes the Pac-12 is in good position competitively and with future revenue possibilities.
“Our conference has never had more money than some of the other leagues you mentioned, going back 20-30 years,” Scott said during Pac-12 media day at the Hollywood & Highland. “I’m confident our schools have the resources they need to continue to win championships more than any other conference. I see no sign of it slowing down.
“I feel great about where we are from a competitive standpoint.”
Scott addressed several other items, including:
• The conference’s pilot program to reduce the length of football games, including shorter halftimes, will be expanded to some conference games and will also include some games broadcast by ESPN and Fox. Scott said 30 games will be a part of this year’s program.
• For the first time, the Pac-12 Networks will broadcast its pregame shows for football on campus sites.
• The Pac-12 has had some recent football games in Australia and is looking into future games overseas in places such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico.
• Scott said the conference is exploring the idea of bringing to the Pac-12 title game to Las Vegas, which is building a new stadium for the 2020 arrival of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.
Four-star RB Mangham commits to CU.
Four-star running back Jaren Mangham has decided to play for Colorado.
The talented athlete from Cass Technical High School in Detroit gave his commitment to the Buffs on Tuesday evening.
Mangham posted a video on Twitter to announce his decision.
Mangham, who also plays outside linebacker, has a fourstar rating from Rivals.com and a three-star rating from 247Sports.com. He has 47 scholarship offers and picked CU ahead of Michigan State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. Mangham visited CU with his family in June and has been a top target of the Buffs throughout the recruiting process.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Mangham is viewed as one of the top running backs recruits in the 2019 class and a top-10 player in Michigan.
Footnotes.
CU coach Mike MacIntyre confirmed that senior safety Jaisen Sanchez has had surgery on a torn ACL — this third consecutive season-ending injury. Sanchez, who missed 2016 with a knee injury and 2017 with a torn pectoral muscle, has not decided if he will medically retire or remain on the roster for this season . ... CU will go into fall camp with 83 scholarship players, two below the NCAA maximum of 85. MacIntyre has not decided what he will do with the extra scholarships, but they could go to walk-ons.