University of Michigan ‘committed’ to Big Ten despite private equity deal

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The University of Michigan governing board declared its opposition to the possibility of giving up a stake in the Big Ten for $2.4 billion in private investment.

“The University of Michigan Board of Regents met today to discuss the current Big Ten Enterprises proposal,” chair Mark Bernstein said in a Nov. 20 statement. “We remain opposed to this deal. Importantly, we are committed to the Big Ten Conference and will continue to explore opportunities that address the pressing financial challenges facing Big Ten athletic departments.”

The Big Ten, like all conferences, has been exploring new revenue streams. Michigan and Southern California (USC) are against the current deal.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) said she sent a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettiti this week, saying, “The influence of extremely wealthy, non-university interests has already created significant problems in college sports.”

“College sports are a uniquely American tradition that have provided valuable experience for generations of college athletes, students, and fans,” Stevens wrote. “Nowhere is that more true than in the Big Ten. As policymakers, we have a responsibility to ensure that the integrity of college sports, the Big Ten, and its member universities is preserved for future generations, not sacrificed for short-term financial gain.”

New financial opportunities have led the Big Ten and other collegiate conferences to expand, rather than focus on specific geographical areas. The Big Ten covers as far east as Maryland and Rutgers (New Jersey) and as far west as USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.

Michigan State University has not publicly opposed the deal. Amber McCann, a university spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.