The past few days have produced an assortment of intriguing bits of information regarding the Pac-12's long-term and short-term future. Let's have a look:
Fearing content fees, DirecTV CEO Michael White appears reluctant to include the Pac-12 network's full suite of regional networks.
Carriage disputes with the Sunbeam and Tribune groups have led to stations going off DirecTV this year already. "I don’t like it, but when necessary, we’ll do whatever it takes … If we have to go dark, we’re going to go dark," White said at an investor event. "We’re going to do the right thing for the long-term health of our business and consumers."
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In looking to rein in content fees, White said DirecTV isn’t sure what it will do with the Pac-12 Network group. "We’re not going to have seven channels -- I can assure you of that," he said.
While the Pac-12 chancellors and presidents did not come to a formal consensus, they are moving forward with talks on alternative models for deciding the national championship.
"Today we just confirmed what our values and principles are for working with others to move the BCS forward," Oregon State president and Pac-12 CEO chair Ed Ray said. "No one is talking about the status quo; I just don't hear anyone talking about business as usual."
"What I left with is a very clear direction that we need to not just preserve, but actually enhance the meaning of being in a conference," commissioner
Larry Scott said. "We want competing in our conference and winning our conference to mean no less than it does today and maybe even more."
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The three models every conference has examined are aplus-one , a four-team playoff played inside the current BCS bowl structure and a four-team playoff played outside the bowls. Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said he didn't see any compromise between the two competing playoff models that appear to, in some form or fashion, take the place of the BCS. Incoming Big 12 commissionerBob Bowlsby told CBSSports.com on Saturday that there would likely be some strength of schedule component included to help balance the champions vs. top four model out."We're looking for a model that being a conference champion matters to determine who the ultimate national champion is," Ray said. "There are a couple of models that do have that element to them and we're quite open to having a discussion about them."
"I won't go dreaming about where we might be, but there is a really good conference out on the West Coast that it would be wonderful to be part of, eventually," Apple said today, alluding to the Pacific-12.
"And, there are schools that I'd certainly like to be mentioned with in the same breath. So, I think the idea that we try to aspire to be a great university that is thought of in the company of the other great universities is something that we should think about for athletics," Apple said.
After the jump successful seasons come to a close for softball, rugby, crew, and golf.
The 2012 Cal Athletic Hall of Fame class was announced: Hayley Cope (swimming), Jocelyn Forest (softball), Mike Harrison (baseball), Bruce Kennedy (track and field), Lamond Murray (basketball), and Anne Walker (golf).
Football
- Jon Wilner has the latest financial figures from the Pac-12. For fiscal year 2010-11, Cal was 7th in revenue earned.
- Uncle Ted recaps what has happened so far in the Pac-12's 2013 recruiting.
- A mock 2013 NFL Draft has Keenan Allen going 12th overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Luck to Allen? How unnatural...
- Justin Forsett has signed with the Houston Texans.
- Season tickets went go on sale June 4th.
- The Bears rallied back from an 0-2 deficit to open the WCWS with a 5-3 win over LSU. CalBears.com has quotes from the post-game press conference.
- Cal was shut out by Keilani Ricketts and Oklahoma on Friday. CalBears.com has a pdf of the post-game comments.
- Cal defeated Oregon 6-3 to live another day in the WCWS. BearTerritory.net has more from the win in OKC.
- Facing elimination, the Bears lost 5-3 to Alabama.
- Valerie Arioto won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, annually given to softball's best senior student-athlete.
- The Bears opened the 7s championship series with a 21-10 win over Navy.
- The Bears' next victim was Notre Dame, who lost 29-0.
- Cal finished the day 3-0 after a 29-5 win over Army.
- Cal opened Sunday's action with a 54-5 win over Texas.
- Despite holding a 12-point lead with around four minutes to play, Cal made some costly mistakes and lost 21-19 to Dartmouth.
- A 26-7 win over Life University gave the Bears the bronze medal in the CRC 7s.
- After a rough start men's golf surged to fourth in the NCAA Championships to earn their first ever trip to NCAA match play.
- Joel Stalter nailed a 20-foot birdie putt to lift the Bears over San Diego State. Cal next faces top-seeded Alabama in the semifinals.
- The Bears took the top-seeded Crimson Tide to the final hole, but lost 3-2 to end the season.
- The NCAA has a great article on Chad Hagy and his accomplishments in the classroom.
- Cal alum James Hahn won his first ever Nationwide Tour event on Sunday.
- Charlie Wi and James Hahn won spots in the 2012 US Open.
- All Cal boats advanced to the finals at the IRA Championships.
- IRA Championship finals results: Cal placed fourth in the Varsity Eight Grand Final and JV Eight Grand Final, second in the Freshman Eight Grand Final and the Varsity Four Grand Final, and third in the Open Four Grand Final.