As a lifelong fan of college football, my love for the sport transcends beyond just rooting on my team. My love for college football is about deep connections, meaningful moments, immense pride, respect, and admiration, and life's bucket list experiences fostered in the stands, at the bars, at the tailgates, and at home being glued to the TV in the fall, and traditions and fanship being passed down for generations.  Unfortunately, this long history and unique culture is now threatened by corporate and individual greed who only see college football as a money making vehicle to line their own pockets and cement their own resume accomplishments. 

The B1G Conference, the leading symbol of college football's vibrant history and spirit, is on the verge of being exploited by private capital.  B1G leadership - at the Conference and University level - is moving forward quickly to a deal that will take a $2.4B loan from investors in exchange for a 10% share of media revenue and a Grant of Rights extension for 20 years!  This means that in exchange for ~$130MM today per school, all B1G universities will be locked into the Conference and must give 10% of all media revenue annually until 2046.  Additionally, the investor has the right to sell their 10% stake in the B1G after 15 years to anyone(!).   Only Michigan and USC currently publicly oppose this deal, as well as the Board of Trustees at many schools.  However, nearly all other University Presidents and ADs support the deal.

Undoubtedly most schools need money now to make up for the debt their poor mismanagement of funds has created.  But, that is a human behavior problem, not a cash flow problem.  What's to say that after this ~$130MM cash infusion, University leadership won't go right back to mismanagement next year?  Which outside investor will they take money from then until they sell off all the equity?  It will never end unless we address the root problem - college football needs serious institutional changes like NIL salary caps, caps on coaches salary and tens of million dollar buyouts(!), sponsorship limitations, and strong governance on required support for other sports and academic programs, in order to stop the inflation of college football.  

We as fans must come together and stop this.  The cost of our fanship is rising every year, pricing the most authentic fans out of even being able to cheer on their teams in person.  At this rate, only corporations, investors, and the 1% will be able to enjoy college football - or whatever shell of college football will be in the future. 

Without us millions of fans, the B1G Conference would be nothing.  College football would be nothing.  We, the FANS, are the ones dedicating our energy, passion, and resources to support college football, creating both its historical legacy and ~$24 Billion dollar valuation.  We are the heart and soul of college football, and every ticket, merchandise, beer, and streaming channel we purchase supports our universities and endless other sports and student athletes.  Yet, our voices are overlooked.  Not even considered.

Sign this petition to prevent today's outside investments and future takeover on the sport owned by the people.  Otherwise, college football will forever be owned by soulless puppeteers instead of use who truly understand and love it and have been the ones who make it what its worth today - THE FANS.