The Big 12 is finalizing a deal with RedBird and Weatherford Capital that would infuse as much as $500M into Big 12 members who opt-in through a “multifaceted strategic business partnership,” with a focus on growing commercial operations, per Yahoo's Ross Dellenger. Details: “The Big 12’s RedBird partnership is a three-prong package. Redbird, a New York-based investment management firm with $12 billion in assets, has agreed to infuse millions into the Big 12 office as an initial step to help jumpstart the league’s revenue-generating business arm. The firm is also offering roughly $30 million to each member school in a capital credit line at a reduced rate. Schools are not required to accept the capital. At the center of the third part of the package is a strategic business relationship between the firms and the Big 12 in an effort to further evolve the conference office in a more professionalized environment.” (link)