Big 12 revenue distribution down only slightly amid pandemic

The Big 12' s revenue distribution to its 10 schools decreased only slightly because of the pandemic that led to the cancellation of spring sports, though there is still plenty of uncertainty ahead.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Friday at the end of the league's virtual spring meetings the league was distributing an average of $37.7 million to each school for the 201920 school year, just $1.1 million less than the last year. That ended a 13-year streak of increasing revenues for the conference.

The Big 12 got about $14 million less from the NCAA, which cancelled showcase events like the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, and the College World Series. Plus, the amount of money in member participation subsidies for conference championships was cut in half, from about $36 million last year to $18 million, after the cancellation of the Big 12 basketball tournaments, as well as baseball, softball and other spring sports.

The Bi g 1 2 board of directors, made up of school presidents and chancellors, approved a 10-percent reduction in the league' s operation budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins July 1.

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA: The UCO athletic department announced its three-phase plan for reopening on a limited basis beginning June 1.

NCAA: The Power Five conference commissioners are asking Congress to move forward with federal legislation regarding compensation for college athletes. They encouraged federal lawmakers to not wait for the NCAA process to play out before passing a national law that would set parameters for college athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses. SEC/BIG 12 CHALLENGE: Oklahoma State will host Alabama and Oklahoma will play at Georgia next season in the league's women's basketball event. Dates have not been set.