Ben Portnoy has covered college sports for Sports Business Journal since 2023. He joined the publication following nearly five years in daily newspapers covering the SEC, including stints on the South Carolina and Mississippi State beats.  A native of Washington, D.C., he's a graduate of Indiana University.

SoCon, CBS Sports Net expand media deal

The Southern Conference and CBS Sports are slated to announce an expansion and extension of their deal through the 2031-32 season. Exact terms of the six-year deal were not available at press time, while an official announcement is expected on Monday.

Basketball’s power broker? The Big East makes its case

As confetti rained courtside, an earnest Dan Hurley sat behind the podium beneath Lucas Oil Stadium as he fought to get the words out.

Wisconsin AD McIntosh to take new position at Big Ten

Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh is slated to resign from his position immediately and join the Big Ten as its newly created deputy commissioner for strategy, SBJ has learned. McIntosh will report directly to Commissioner Tony Petitti, while his role will focus on shaping the broad strategy of the league...

Yao Ming, NBA owners among new investors in Asian college basketball league

The Asian University Basketball League (AUBL), a pan-regional intercollegiate basketball league founded by Nets co-owner Joe Tsai, is set to announce the closing of its Series A funding round (exact financial details were not immediately available). The round was led by Blue Pool Capital, the family...

NFF celebrates 20 years honoring academics in college football

The National Football Foundation has announced this year’s Hampshire Honor Society — the 20th such class in the program’s history. This year’s class, which is developed through a handful of criteria such as maintaining a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher throughout a player’s college careers, will includ...

SBJ College: Baker, NCAA to settle postseason patches this summer

NCAA Charlie Baker told reporters at the Men's Final Four that he expects the NCAA to settle the cloudy situation around postseason jersey sponsorship patches this summer. The April 7 SBJ College newsletter also looks at the new era of Big Ten dominance, names seen at the Final Four and more.

Final Four fuels final College Sports Pulse Rankings of March Madness

Michigan won the national title game, but it won’t finish atop the final March Madness edition of the College Sports Pulse Rankings. That honor belongs to UConn.

Seen and heard around the Final Four

In my personal view, Indianapolis is as good a host city as there is for the men’s Final Four. The walkability, hotels, convention center and stadium are an awesome combination for an event of this magnitude — and the weekend’s party circuit reflected as much.