Big 12 tells ESPN to cease and desist

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby believes that ESPN is pushing other conferences to pick apart his conference so Texas and Oklahoma can move to the Southeastern Conference without paying a massive buyout.

“I have absolute certainty they (ESPN) have been involved in manipulating other conferences to go after our members,” Bowlsby said.

The Big 12 has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ESPN.

In the letter, the Big 12 demanded the network stop “all actions that may harm the Conference and its members and that it not communicate with the Big 12 Conference’s existing Members or any other NCAA Conference regarding the Big 12 Conference’s Members, possible conference realignment or potential financial incentives or outcomes related to possible conference realignment.“

Texas and Oklahoma informed the Big 12 this week that they would not be renewing an agreement with the conference that binds them to the conference and its eight other members until 2025.

• The NCAA said it will not re-evaluate penalties handed down for infractions cases, a decision that will keep former USC running back Reggie Bush from having his 2005 Heisman Trophy victory restored.

Earlier this month, the Heisman Trust said it would return the Heisman to Bush if the NCAA were to reinstate him for the 2005 season.

The NCAA released a statement saying that recent changes to rules regarding how athletes can be compensated for their names, images and likenesses still do not permit “pay-for-play type arrangements.”

Bush had his Heisman vacated after the NCAA ruled he received impermissible benefits.