The latest Big 12 revenue-sharing figures, found in a World-Herald search of IRS documents, offer another reason why Nebraska won't mind changing conferences.

The Huskers fell to eighth in money distributed in the 2008-09 fiscal year, down from fifth the previous year.

Ironically, one school that has complained lately about the Big 12 revenue-sharing plan being tilted toward schools such as Texas and Nebraska — Missouri — leapfrogged Nebraska, rising from sixth to fourth.

Every Big 12 school got more money from the league in 2008-09 than the year before.

Missouri's increase was 23.8 percent, from $8.4 million to $10.4 million. Nebraska's increase was 6.6 percent, from $9.1 million to $9.73 million.

Nebraska opened the 2008 football season with three consecutive games relegated to pay-per-view because the Big 12's TV partners — ABC/ESPN and Fox — declined to choose them.

Playing network or national cable games produces more revenue than PPV. The Huskers also started 2009 with three straight PPV games.

In the Big Ten, revenue is shared equally. In 2007-08, IRS filings show, each school received about $18.8 million. In 2008-09, final figures haven't been openly filed, but the estimate is $20 million to $21 million each.

The Big 12 reported revenue from four primary sources: TV contracts ($69.9 million); bowl games ($31.7 million); NCAA shares ($28.9 million); and ticket sales ($11.7 million).

Oklahoma moved to No. 1 in revenue share in 2008-09 at $12.2 million (24.5 percent increase). Texas was second at $11.8 million (12.7 percent) and Kansas third at $11.5 million (25 percent).

Iowa State was 11th at $8.9 million (20.3 percent) and Kansas State 12th at $8.4 million (2.4 percent).

That makes the top-to-bottom spread in Big 12 revenue $3.8 million.

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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