Big 12 to withhold future payments to Baylor pending third-party review of school

The Big 12 Conference voted to withhold 25 percent of any future revenue distribution payments to Baylor University, the league announced Tuesday.

The conference says the payments will be held pending the conclusion of a third-party verification review that required the school to change its athletics procedures and to institute governance of Baylor's athletics programs. Baylor has been rocked by accusations of rampant sexual assault on campus with athletes from different sports.

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/829352719706005506

At least 50 acts of rape by dozens of football players in the past few years have been reported, the school is facing a half-dozen lawsuits, and the U.S. Department of Education is also investigating the school over its response to sexual assaults on campus.

“The Board is unified in establishing a process to verify that proper institutional controls are in place and sustainable,” said Oklahoma president and Big 12 Conference Board of Directors chairman David Boren. “Effective immediately, the Conference is withholding 25 percent of Baylor’s share of any future revenue distribution until the proper execution of controls is independently verified. By taking these actions the Board desires to ensure that the changes that were promised are actually made and that systems are in place to avoid future problems. The proportional withholding of revenue distribution payments will be in effect until the Board has determined that Baylor is in compliance with Conference bylaws and regulations as well as all components of Title IX.”

"While the withholding of conference distributions is an unexpected financial event, we do not deem these actions to materially impact the overall financial position of the University. We pledge our full cooperation, and we will work with the Big 12 Conference to conduct the audit as expeditiously as possible," Garland said.