Bob Bowlsby
FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 17, 2017, file photo, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to reporters during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas. Bowlsby said Tuesday, April 5, 2022, that he will step away from his role as Big 12 commissioner later this year after a decade in that job. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Big 12 commish Bowlsby stepping away from role this year

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 05, 2022 04:55 PM EDT

FILE - The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 1, 2021. The College Football Playoff is set to remain a four-team format through the 2025 season after the administrators who manage the postseason failed to agree on an expansion plan before the current contracts run out. A person involved with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, that the CFP management committee, comprised of 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, met by video conference earlier this week. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
After early CFP expansion fails, job only gets tougher

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 18, 2022 11:05 AM EST

Georgia's Stetson Bennett celebrates after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
ACC commissioner says CFP expansion should be put on hold

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2022 01:23 PM EST

Fans begin to fill the stands at at Lucas Oil Stadium before the College Football Playoff championship football game between Alabama and Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
CFP talks stall, dimming hopes of expansion before 2026

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 10, 2022 02:21 PM EST

Georgia fans celebrate during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Michigan, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Column: Peacemaker needed for playoff expansion to progress

By Ralph D Russo Jan. 07, 2022 01:16 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Georgia and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama won 41-24. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
CFP Takeaways: Bearcats belong; Tide proves doubters wrong

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 04, 2021 06:54 PM EST

FILE - The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 1, 2021. The most positive development at the latest meeting on expanding the College Football Playoff was that the people involved agreed to keep talking. There is no firm date for the next meeting, but there is one regularly schedule for January around the College Football Playoff championship game. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
Big 12's Bowlsby: CFP expansion for 2024 'in some jeopardy'

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 04, 2021 01:18 PM EST

Stanford players run onto the field for the team's NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
College Football Playoff expansion talks inch forward

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 01, 2021 06:46 PM EST

Big 12 suspends Texas Tech radio announcers over comments

Nov. 17, 2021 10:26 PM EST
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech's radio announcers were suspended for a game by the Big 12 on Wednesday over comments about officiating in the Red Raiders' 41...

Baylor offensive lineman Mose Jeffery celebrates with fans who stormed the field after defeating Oklahoma in an NCAA college football game, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (Ernesto Garcia/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
Big 12 reprimands and fines Baylor for storming field vs. OU

Nov. 16, 2021 09:06 PM EST

Cincinnati safety Ja'von Hicks, center, recovers a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
AAC commish 'vigorously' opposed to P5 protection in CFP

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2021 12:36 PM EST

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) holds the ball in the air while scoring a touchdown against Kansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: CFP race of Big 12 incoming, outgoing

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 23, 2021 09:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2015, file photo, the American Athletic Conference logo is displayed before during the championship NCAA college football game between Houston and Temple in Houston. Six schools from Conference USA — UAB, UTSA, Rice, North Texas, Charlotte and Florida Atlantic — have applied for membership with the AAC and are expected to be accepted by the end of the week, according to two people with knowledge of the process who spoke with The Associated Press, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Realignment era: 6 C-USA schools leaving for American

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 21, 2021 10:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2020, file photo, TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, left, pulls in a pass close to the end zone over Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Waco, Texas. The Big 12 will have nothing like the Red River rivalry on the second Saturday in October once Texas and Oklahoma make their move to the Southeastern Conference. There will even be the renewal of some old but not as long standing feuds, and maybe some new ones when BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston begin Big 12 play within the next two to three seasons. (Rod Aydelott/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP, File)
Big 12 joins SEC in letting schools set athlete compensation

Oct. 07, 2021 06:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, the trophy for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA college football game is displayed along Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, Fla. The College Football Playoff management committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, to discuss the feedback members have received from campuses since a 12-team expansion plan was unveiled in June. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
For CFP to expand by 2024, plans need approval in 4 months

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 28, 2021 07:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, the trophy for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA college football game is displayed along Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, Fla. The College Football Playoff management committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, to discuss the feedback members have received from campuses since a 12-team expansion plan was unveiled in June. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
CFP expansion stalls as commissioners sort through issues

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 22, 2021 04:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, the trophy for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA college football game is displayed along Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, Fla. The College Football Playoff management committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, to discuss the feedback members have received from campuses since a 12-team expansion plan was unveiled in June. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Commissioners to share feedback on CFP expansion proposal

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 20, 2021 06:44 PM EDT

Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon scores past Texas Southern safety Calvin Henderson, left, in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
Smith, Ebner carry Baylor in 66-7 rout of Texas Southern

Sep. 11, 2021 10:45 PM EDT

Houston running back Mulbah Car (34) runs the ball against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Bigger Big 12: BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on the way

By Stephen Hawkins Sep. 10, 2021 10:23 AM EDT