Thursday, September 1, 2022
Abby Cage The Big 12 is exploring a lucrative media rights deal with ESPN and FOX, according to a statement from the conference.
Big 12 media rights talks ramp up, OU and UT look to leave early ESPN and FOX. “It is an exciting time for college athletics and given the changing landscape we welcome the opportunity to engage with our partners to determine if an early extension is in the best interest of all parties,” said new Big 12 Davis Cordova Commissioner Brett Yormark. “The Staff Reporter Big 12 has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with its multi-media rights holdEngagements and consequences ers, and I look forward to having these ensue for the Big 12. conversations.” On Wednesday, the Big 12 ConThese negotiations have been ference released a statement regarding bumped up due to a culmination of two the exploration of an accelerated media things. One is the Big Ten agreeing rights deal with its current partners, on a $1 billion media rights deal with
three different outlets; FOX, CBS and NBC earlier in August. The other is the race to agree on a new media deal between the Big 12 and the Pac-12. The two conferences are racing to be the first to secure a bigger, more lucrative deal, using it as a tactic to potentially poach teams from each conference. With advanced talks regarding a new media deal comes consequences, in the form of OU and Texas. Shortly after the Big 12 engaged in these talks, new reports emerged that Oklahoma and Texas are actively in discussions of leaving early for the
SEC, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. Last summer, the move that started the shift in conference alignment was Oklahoma and Texas announcing their move to the SEC in 2025. But, since the Big 12 is now negotiating a deal that does not include the two departing schools, there is no need for the schools to continue with the conference.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
OSU recieves grant to host research program for biology graduates
File photo The Cowboys will be one running back short Thursday night without Deondre Jackson.
OSU running back Jackson out for opener
Ben Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor The Oklahoma State Cowboys will be without running back Deondre Jackson for their season-opener Thursday.
Wednesday morning, Jackson, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Texas A&M, tweeted he won’t be suiting up as he is “still dealing with some transcript issues.” On the OSU depth chart, Jackson is listed as an “or” player behind junior Dominic Richardson and redshirt freshman Jaden Nixon. This means Richardson or freshman Ollie Gordon will start the season battling for third on the chart. OSU has seven running
backs on the roster but only Richardson, Nixon and redshirt sophomore Zach Middleton have carried the ball as a Cowboy. The Cowboys’ leading running back last year, Jaylen Warren, was transfer and began the season buried on the depth chart but earned his way to the top with a huge game early in the season against Boise State.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Teyte Holcomb News Editor
tive biology teacher Dr. Liz McCullagh said in an OSU press release that understanding these complex issues that the program will provide is vital for any career in the future. “Strong mentorship by leaders in biological fields is one of the most critical factors in retention of people in STEM fields,” McCullagh said. “An important aspect of the NSF’s RaMP program is training opportunities for faculty in how to help students and recent graduates build their resumes, making them competitive in future STEM careers.” Faculty in OSU’s Department of Integrative Biology said this program will help train and retain
OSU will soon be home to a three-year mentor program for recent biology graduate students. The National Science Foundation Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences (RaMP) will begin in the summer 2023, and will feature a starting class of eight mentees. These mentees will spend time researching, training and building professional skills for future careers. See Grant on page 4 Assistant integra-