Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle: University of California chancellor Robert Birgeneau has asked a panel to address the long-simmering problem of university support for its beloved but money-losing athletics programs. "This is meant to be a come-to-Jesus moment for athletics, in which [the department] realizes that it needs to make difficult choices to stay within a sustainable level of resources," law professor and panelist Christopher Kutz said. The athletics department has an annual budget of $65 million and 27 teams. Twenty-four of those lose money. Only football and basketball take in more than they spend. Men's golf breaks even.
Ken Goe, Oregonian: Is it possible that Mike Bellotti left as Oregon athletic director because university president Richard Lariviere showed him the door? This, perhaps, came after Bellotti told Lariviere he had been approached by ESPN about the possibility of working as an analyst for the cable network.
David Steves and Christian Wihtol, Eugene Register-Guard: The Oregon University System launched an inquiry in Oregon's $2.3 million payout to Bellotti. The move comes amid growing public focus on university inconsistencies in explaining the arrangement. Oregon attorney general John Kroger announced early in the week that his office planned to review the deal.
Logan Carver, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Attorneys for Mike Leach will not receive documents from Frenship Independent School District pertaining to Tommy Tuberville and his family, a state district judge has ruled.
Scott D. Pierce, Deseret News: The mtn. has announced that all 30 of the network's football telecasts this fall will be in high definition.
Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times: UCLA opened spring practice, with quarterback Kevin Prince running the "pistol" offense.
Loren Tate, Champaign News-Gazette: Could Illinois be the surprise team of 2010?
Tommy Deas, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama fans will have to wait until August for the unveiling of the Nick Saban statue.
Memphis Commercial Appeal: There's a possibility that the Liberty Bowl could feature a matchup between teams from the Southeastern and Big East conferences.
Richard Sandomir, New York Times: ESPN launches its latest local site, ESPN New York.
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald: Police are looking into a report that four men — possibly Georgia players — harassed a married couple in a taxi early Sunday morning.
Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer: North Carolina State signee Peter Singer had his third brush with the law in less than a year last month when he was charged with driving after consuming under age 21.
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