Kevin Weiberg, commissioner
Big 12 Conference
Omaha World-Herald

Discussing whether athletics administrators and college presidents are ready to immediately accept less corporate money in return for a reduced commercial presence:

"I don't see the support for going down that path. Nobody is saying, 'Let's put the brakes on.' But there is enough dialogue about concerns over the so-called 'arms race' that eventually it might get to that point. ...

"We've seen a growth of (how conspicuous commercial involvement has become) in recent years in a combination of forms. One of the most noticeable is in the telecasts of events. Now, (sign boards in stadiums or commercially sponsored graphics on the screen) are very common. The television networks are trying to do everything they can to add value and increase advertising sales to be able to pay the ever-increasing rights fees we ask for. It's easy to point the finger at those folks. But in many ways, we are the ones driving their needs to do these types of things. ...

"(But), in talking with our presidents and chancellors, there is some feeling that there is a lot of corporate involvement this day and age with universities in general. It's not unique to intercollegiate sports. ...

"Slowing the growth of revenue -- either naturally through market forces or through conferences and the NCAA being willing to limit what we will accept -- is probably the only way we'll get control of all of this."

Bob Bonn, athletics director
Carthage College
Omaha World-Herald

"We can't get enough of (corporate involvement) here. Small colleges are always looking for corporate help, and every dollar counts. But our campus rule is we don't advertise corporations in stadiums or arenas. In Division III, you can do that when it fits your educational mission. The issue is very different when you talk to athletics directors in Division I. When I go to fund-raising conferences, all the Division I-A people are complaining and concerned about being asked to raise more and more money every year."