John Ourand, SportsBusiness Journal: The Pacific 10 has hired Creative Artists Agency to explore expansion opportunities and advise the conference on its next media rights deal. The Hollywood-based firm also will help the conference reposition its brand to highlight its nexus to the entertainment (Los Angeles) and technology (Silicon Valley) markets. The mandates are interrelated and increase the likelihood that the Pac-10 will launch its own cable channel when its current media deals expire after the 2011-12 school year.
Darren Rovell, CNBC: The greatest rise seen in a baby name attributed to a sports figure is Colt, as in former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.
Kyle Veazey, Clarion Ledger: Southeastern Conference spokesman Charles Bloom said that he anticipates the league's presidents and athletic directors will revisit the league's stance against artificial noisemakers at its spring meetings June 1-4 in Destin, Fla. Potential modifications could strengthen the penalties in place in the current ban, potentially adding fines to schools whose fans break the rule. Mississippi State spokesman Mike Nemeth said discussions about cowbells have been "ongoing" and that the school will be prepared to discuss the issue if it comes up.Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nevada Las Vegas athletic director Jim Livengood told assistant coach Ty Gregorak to resign or his contract won't be renewed when it expires June 30. Gregorak was accused by police in Boulder of stealing a .45-caliber gun and wallet from the car belonging to a strip club bouncer on May 1. Formal charges are expected to be announced Thursday.
Lynn Henning, Detroit News: The Big Ten is likely to expand to 16 teams and four divisions, with details to be finalized by 2011, two sources close to the process told the newspaper.
Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald: There are several reasons to believe Monday's report on WHB of the Big Ten extending "initial offers" to Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Rutgers. The four schools make the most sense. And the Notre Dame caveat — if the Irish accept, the Big Ten looks for a fifth school; if they turn it down, it's three schools to make 14 — is perfectly plausible. When you think about that, it's very logical.
Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri is a better fit for the Big Ten than Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa State.
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star: Kansas City, which plays host to the Border War between Kansas and Missouri, along with the Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournaments, would likely suffer an economic hit if Mizzou left for the Big Ten.
J. Brady McCollough, Kansas City Star: The worst-case expansion scenario for Kansas involves a weakened Big 12 that puts the Jayhawks on the outside looking in nationally.
Tracee Hamilton, Washington Post: Why is Missouri looking to jump to the Big Ten? It basically boils down to this: Texas gets all the Big 12 money.
Cole Manbeck, Manhattan Mercury: In the Big 12, Texas runs the show. If Missouri and Nebraska do bolt for the Big Ten as part of the conference's possible expansion to 16 teams, Texas would hold the cards in whether the Big 12 remains intact or falls apart.
Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Boise State's days in the Western Athletic Conference could be numbered. For the Bronocs to become a member of the Mountain West in 2011, they must be invited by July 1, 2010.
Robbie Neiswanger, Arkansas News: Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has a message for outsiders who believe the Razorbacks should consider leaving the Southeastern Conference for the Big 12 because it would be better, geographically, for the program. "I think that's a very uninformed view that we would naturally fit better in the Big 12 region. Certainly the SEC is the strongest conference top to bottom. Not only financially, but competitively. And our conference is a conference of strength. Not one that would be subject to losing members and such."
Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State coach Brady Hoke said the Aztecs "were a woefully weak football team" when he was hired in December 2008. "It was [in size and strength] and work-ethic," he said. San Diego State is also trying to raise funds for its athletic department with a seven-city spring caravan.
Don Kausler Jr., Birmingham News: Contrary to ads, chunks of Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium turf are not for sale.
Dave Hooker, Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Tennessee offensive lineman Aaron Douglas was experiencing "stress and depression" before his decision to transfer.
Joe Person, Columbia State: South Carolina starting offensive tackle Jarriel King is recovering from a cardiac ablation to correct an irregular heartbeat. It's his second heart procedure in the past two years, and he is expected to be fully recovered in six weeks.
Berry Tramel, Oklahoman: Barry Switzer assembled many of his vaunted 1975 Oklahoma recruiting class to honor Thomas Lott's induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.
Rachel Beck, Corvallis Gazette-Times: Two past and one current Oregon State player apologized for a late-night joyride in a golf cart that resulted in sentences of probation and community service.
Tony Krausz, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone acknowledged that the marijuana found in a female companion's purse by an Indiana state trooper belonged to him, according to court documents.
John Beauge, Patriot-News: Former Penn State running back Austin Scott wants a federal judge to stay his civil rights suit stemming from his 2007 rape arrest in State College because he is playing professional football in Germany.
Chicago Tribune: Purdue has reinstated quarterback Justin Siller after suspending him all of last season for an academic violation.
Paul and Ryan Myerberg, Pre-Snap Read: The countdown continues with a look at No. 114 Louisiana Monroe. Plus, how Southeastern Conference teams have fared when it comes to keeping talent at home.
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