• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 9, 2026

Q&A: Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby

  • Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowslby believes life will fundamentally change.
  • “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that there will be disruptions during the season.”
Big 12 football
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

On the latest episode of Fundamentals with Ian Thomas, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby joined guest host Emily Caron to conclude a three-part series on college athletics. 

Bowlsby talked at length about the effects COVID-19 will have on college athletics as well as his intimate involvement with the NIL rules change proposals.

Bowlsby on the potential disruptions to college sports: It’s hard to imagine that we’re going to get all the way through a fall and a winter sports season without institutions having flare ups. I just think college campuses are Petri dishes for infectious diseases. They always are. There’s lots of people and they’re living in close quarters and they’re partying and interfacing and there’s just lots going on. … And so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that there will be disruptions during the season.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Miami Earns $20M With CFP National Championship Trip

No other power conference allows schools to keep all CFP prize money.
Jan 6, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center.

LeBron James on the Verge of Losing Two 21-Year Streaks

James has qualified for every All-Star Game since 2024.
Jan 2, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) and Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum (3) celebrate during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena.

Winning Gets in the Way of Wizards, Nets Tank Jobs

The NBA recently floated rule changes to curb tanking.
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) celebrates a pick six during the second quarter in an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.

NFL Sees Highest Viewership in More Than 35 Years

The league posts its second-best viewership total on record.

Featured Today

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
Imagn Images/Front Office Sports
January 2, 2026

FOS Crystal Ball: Predictions for the Business of Sports in 2026

Here’s what FOS journalists think could be on the horizon.
Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025
December 24, 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.

Demond Williams Walks Back Transfer Talk, to Stay at Washington

Washington threatened legal action to force him to honor his rev-share contract.
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti shake hands with Gary Stokan on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, during a coaches' press conference ahead of the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl game at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
January 8, 2026

Peach Bowl CEO: ‘We’ve Lost the Mission’ of College Sports

The Peach Bowl CEO is wary of private equity’s entry into college sports.
January 8, 2026

Ole Miss Survived Kiffin Coaching Chaos to Make CFP Semifinal

Multiple coaches have gone back and forth between Ole Miss and LSU.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Dec 13, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) is forced out of bounds by Boise State Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Earby (6) after a catching a pass in the second half of the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
January 7, 2026

Washington Considers Suing Former QB Demond Williams

Washington wants to hold Williams accountable for certain buyout provisions.
January 7, 2026

CFP Coaches Thriving—and Cashing In—As Nick Saban Disciples

Head coaches of the four remaining CFP teams had stints under Nick Saban.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jaden Wilkerson (71) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium.
January 7, 2026

ACC Only Power Conference Giving CFP Teams 100% of Payout

Big Ten, Big 12 share distributions equally; SEC has a hybrid model.
exclusive
January 7, 2026

Mark Cuban Increases His Indiana Football Spending for Transfer Portal

Cuban graduated from Indiana in 1981.