SBJ Morning Buzzcast SBJ Morning Buzzcast: December 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025
Ben Portnoy, a sports-business journalist, shares insights on the Pac-12's rebuilding efforts and the importance of media rights. Chris Smith, a sports-business reporter, dives into the role of private equity in collegiate sports and new GM responsibilities. Rachel Axon from the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum discusses Title IX risks and the challenges women’s athletics face. The panel highlights significant shifts in revenue generation and equity, especially in Olympic sports and broadcasting for women’s events.
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Pac-12 Rebuild Shows Institutional Resilience
- Rebuilding the Pac-12 mid-crisis showed conference leaders can constructively reimagine governance and media strategy.
- Ben Portnoy said the group's ability to hold together and rebuild is a unique accomplishment in modern college athletics.
Private Equity Is An Option, Not A Necessity
- Private equity prompts creative alternatives but isn't the only path to commercial growth for conferences.
- Chris Smith relayed Ross Bjork's point that conferences can scale commercial entities like Big Ten Enterprises without institutional investors.
Deal Structure Can Threaten Nonprofit Status
- Structuring outside investment risks nonprofit status complications for universities.
- Chris Smith noted Davis Polk's warning that Utah's deal could threaten its nonprofit classification depending on structure.