Digest: ACC, ESPN nearing new TV deal
COLLEGE: After six years of deliberation and discussion, the Atlantic Coast Conference is close to an updated television deal with ESPN that will include an ACC cable channel and content delivered directly to viewers via the Internet.
The ACC’s current deal with ESPN runs through 2026-27 but has since been substantially eclipsed by the Big 10 and the SEC. In May, ACC commissioner John Swofford said launching an ACC channel would likely be necessary to close that financial gap.
“That’s why ESPN is in the discussions with us,” Swofford said. “They like to make money, too. And we like to make money, as well.”
Baylor will change: Mack Rhoades doesn’t pretend to fully understand the mistakes Baylor has made. The school’s new A.D. is just intent on doing his part to make sure they don’t happen again.
Rhoades was formally introduced by Baylor, a program reeling from allegations that it didn’t properly handle sexual assault claims against some football players.
“There are just certain things that we won’t tolerate and moving forward, you know, everybody will be on that same page,” Rhoades said. “And when I say everybody, that’s the university, that’s the athletics department, that’s our coaches, our student-athletes. Everyone.”
Americans to have most golfers in Brazil
GOLF: Golf’s return to the Olympics after 112 years will have seven Americans, the most of any country for men and women.
U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and two-time major champion Jordan Spieth withdrew, Johnson because of the Zika virus threat and Spieth for overall health concerns.
The Americans have four men from the top 15 – Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar. The women have three players from the top 15 – Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller.
Countries can have two players to fill each 60-player field, and up to four if all are inside the top 15.
Former Eagles coach Campbell has died
MISCELLANY: Former Eagles coach Marion Campbell, who played on Philadelphia’s last NFL championship team in 1960, has died. He was 87.
Campbell passed away last Wednesday in Plano, Texas. Campbell, a two-way player and two-time Pro Bowl pick, played for the Eagles from 1956-61. He spent his first two NFL seasons with San Francisco.
Campbell served as defensive coordinator under Dick Vermeil from 1977-82. He was head coach from 1983-85, winning 17 games. Campbell later coached the Falcons from 1987-89. He 34-80-1 overall.
Tillman retires: Longtime Bears cornerback Charles Tillman is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons.
The 35-year-old Tillman spent his first 12 seasons with the Bears and went to two Pro Bowls.
Plumlee remains Buck: Restricted free agent center Miles Plumlee is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on what agent Mark Bartelstein said is a four-year deal worth $52 million.