Big Ten votes to award Penn State full 2014–15 bowl revenue share
The Big Ten has voted to award Penn State a full share of the conferences 2014–15 bowl revenues, the school announced Sunday.
The conference had decided in February to end the four-year bowl revenue sharing ban against Penn State a year earlier, beginning with the 2015–16 season. Sunday's decision means the school will receive $4.5 million it had not expected to get.
The revenue sharing ban was among the various sanctions levied against Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. The NCAA announced in September that it had decided to end the school's four-year bowl ban and six-year scholarship reductions after three years. Former head coach Joe Paterno's 112 wins that the NCAA had vacated were restored in January.
"I am obviously very pleased to report that the council agreed to provide us with our full share of the bowl revenue," Penn State president Eric Barron said in a statement. "This money is used to support student-athletes and our programs, and some things have been delayed due to the ban. Obviously, it is much needed and welcome. I thank my fellow presidents."
During the past three years, Penn State's bowl revenues were distributed to the Big Ten's other programs, who donated the money to local child and sexual abuse organizations.
Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts of sexual abuse in 2012 and is serving 30-60 years in prison.
- Dan Gartland
