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Earlier today, we looked at the pay for athletic directors around the league, but what about the men up top?

USA Today researched and released the pay for each conference commissioner, and former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe earned $1.7 million in 2010 after receiving a 70 percent raise.

He was relieved of his duties in fall 2011.

Here's how he ranked among his peers:

• Larry Scott, Pac-12: $1.9 million
• Jim Delany, Big Ten: $1.8 million
• Beebe: $1.7 million
• John Swofford, ACC: $1.5 million
• Mike Slive, SEC: $1 million
• John Marinatto, Big East: $600,000

The Big 12 has since moved on from Beebe, and no salary information was available for interim commissioner Chuck Neinas.

In USA Today's survey of athletic director salaries, new commissioner Bob Bowlsby's salary was unavailable, because Stanford is a private institution.

Either way, I'd expect the first-time commissioner to easily clear a seven-digit salary in his new gig.

For reference, Texas AD DeLoss Dodds made just under 1.1 million last year. Not exactly helping that whole "Texas runs the Big 12" perception if he makes more than the Big 12 commish, no?

Another spring has come and gone in the Big 12. In this league, it's a long one. Texas Tech kicked things off on February 17, just two weeks after signing day.

Kansas and Kansas State didn't wrap it up until spring games on April 28.

Through it all, we learned a lot. Here's a taste.

Texas is inching much closer to contention: The offense? Well, it's still a work in progress, though David Ash showed some solid progression during the spring. But the defense? It's leading the way for the Longhorns' road back from the 5-7 implosion in 2010. Quandre Diggs and Carrington Byndom might just be the two best cornerbacks in the Big 12, and Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat are probably the two best defensive ends. Great coverage and a great pass-rush? Sounds like a good start to slowing down Big 12 offenses. Add in junior college man-child Brandon Moore, and solid linebacker play with Jordan Hicks, Demarco Cobbs and Steve Edmond, and the Longhorns have a unit that can help them get back into title contention.

Only one team doesn't know who its quarterback will be: Baylor hardly had a competition to replace RG3. Kansas replaced Jordan Webb with transfer Dayne Crist. Oklahoma State pulled the trigger on a youngster. Texas hasn't officially named him, but Ash has all but sewn up the job in Austin. That leaves Iowa State, which has sophomore Jared Barnett and senior Steele Jantz competing for the job for a second consecutive fall. Anything could happen there.

Mike Gundy has guts: Oklahoma State said goodbye to a mature, big-armed passer in Brandon Weeden, who won 23 games in two seasons. However, the reigning Big 12 champion again will have a big arm at quarterback. Gundy made the league's gutsiest move this spring, handing the reins to 18-year-old Wes Lunt from Illinois. He's one of just six players in the Big 12 from Illinois, and he's a decade younger than Weeden. Robert Griffin III was the league's last true freshman to start a majority of games, but Lunt might be the first to win the job in the spring.

There's a new sherriff in town: The Big 12 knew Chuck Neinas was a quick fix at the commissioner spot, but the league made a quick move in pegging Stanford AD Bob Bowlsby as the new commissioner to replace Dan Beebe, who was fired in September. The Big 12 is likely to cash in on a nice TV deal shortly after Bowlsby takes over, but he'll have to help reconnect a league that must work through some possibly divisive issues like expansion in the near future. He'll also need to manage the relationship between Texas, who he referred to as an "800-pound gorilla," and the rest of its Big 12 brethren. The relationship sounds good now, but over time, issues could arise.

Charlie Weis is making sure KU looks nothing like its 2011 team: Kansas has undergone the biggest change of any team in the Big 12 this offseason. New coach Weis saw a lot of problems at KU, and went about fixing them quickly. He welcomed six Division I transfers, including three from Notre Dame, which included his new quarterback, Crist. He also saw gaping holes along the defensive line and tried to fill them with junior college players and high schoolers who will be challenging for playing time in the fall. Kansas will look a lot different, but will it be better?

Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby has accepted the Big 12 Conference commissioner job, with the announcement to be made Friday in Dallas, a source told ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

Bowlsby replaces Dan Beebe, who was fired in September 2011 as the Big 12 seemed on the brink of falling apart, with Oklahoma, Texas and others flirting with the Pac-12.

Chuck Neinas has been serving as the interim commissioner.

Bowlsby has told his staff he will remain with the Cardinal until June, according to The Associated Press.

For more on this story from Andy Katz, go here.

The Big 12 is closing in on its permanent replacement for former commissioner Dan Beebe.

The conference has offered its commissioner's job to Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby, multiple conference and industry sources told ESPN.com Wednesday night. Bowlsby is expected to accept the offer, sources said.

Bowlsby was in Phoenix the past few days as the Big 12 and Pac 12 meetings overlapped. Bowlsby has a strong relationship with Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott. Bowlsby was on the search committee that discovered Scott, with the aid of search firm executive Jed Hughes who has handled both searches for the Big 12 and Pac 12 commissioner's jobs. Hughes was at a different firm for the Pac 12 search firm than he is for the Big 12 search.

Bowlsby has been highly respected by his Pac 12 colleagues, and sources said he had a strong endorsement from Scott.

The Big 12 fired Dan Beebe as its commissioner last fall and replaced him with temporary replacement Chuck Neinas. He helped guide the Big 12 through the loss of Missouri and Texas A&M, as well as inviting TCU and West Virginia to join and give the league 10 members.

Bowlsby was Iowa's athletic director from 1991-2006 before taking over at Stanford.

For more on the story from Andy Katz, go here.

Prepare your resumes: The search is on for the next commissioner of the Big 12.

The league's board of directors will meet on Thursday, and it will consider a search committee to replace acting commissioner Chuck Neinas, Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda told the Dallas Morning News.

Neinas took over for Dan Beebe in September in an interim role, repeatedly stating he had no interest in replacing Beebe on a full-time basis.

Texas A&M and Missouri both left the league during Neinas' tenure, and the Big 12 officially announced the additions of TCU and West Virginia in October.

All 10 of the Big 12 members have granted the league their media rights for six years. Here's more on what that move, designed to bring stability, means.

As quickly as it arrived, the Big 12 season is gone.

Alas, here's a look at the 10 moments we'll remember most from the 2011 season. These aren't necessarily the best or worst moments, but simply that: memorable. When we look back on 2011, this is what will stick out.

1. Heisman moment? Take your pick. There were plenty of them in Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III's run to an "unbelievably believable" Heisman win. What about his only reception of the season (that resulted in him getting the wind knocked out of him) on a dramatic final drive to beat TCU in the opener? What about a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter of an overtime win over Kansas? The best on-field moment was probably his 39-yard TD pass to Terrance Williams in the final seconds to beat Oklahoma for the first time and thrust himself back into the Heisman race, despite three losses. And after beating Texas: "I think Baylor just won its first Heisman tonight," he said. Yep. It did.

2. Iowa State storms the field ... and bowl season. Oklahoma State looked headed for a showdown with Oklahoma to play for a national title, but Iowa State had other things in mind. Jared Barnett topped 375 yards passing and 75 yards rushing in just his third start to give the Cyclones a win over a top six team for the first time in 58 tries. It set off a party on the field at Jack Trice Stadium and put ISU into its second bowl in three years.

3. Texas A&M and Missouri say adios, muchachos. The Aggies had enough of Texas and wanted some of Alabama. Missouri had enough drama and wanted some stability. Texas A&M made it official in late September and Mizzou followed in early November. Texas A&M called it a "100-year decision."

4. The Big 12 says hello to two new friends. With Texas A&M and Missouri gone, expansion was the obvious necessary step. The Big 12 took it by welcoming Southwest Conference expatriate TCU home into the Big 12 on Oct. 11. And 17 days later, West Virginia followed, announcing its plans to help expand the Big 12's footprint wayyy, wayyy east.

5. The Aggies sound like a broken record. Shattered record, maybe. Texas A&M started as a Big 12 title contender with a top-10 ranking. It led 12 games by double digits. It lost six games. How'd it happen? Nobody knew, and as a result, coach Mike Sherman was fired. Over and over, it was the same story. The 20-3 and 35-17 halftime leads over Oklahoma State and Arkansas evaporated. The Aggies blew big leads over Missouri, Kansas State and Texas, too.

6. Oklahoma State finds new life ... twice. Most were resigned to Alabama and LSU meeting again for the title, but OSU made it interesting with a satisfying 44-10 embarrassment of Oklahoma, putting late pressure on voters and finishing behind Alabama by the slimmest margin in BCS history. And once OSU was in its bowl game, Stanford's Jordan Williamson yanked a 35-yard kick to send the game into overtime, where the Cowboys capitalized in a 41-38 win.

7. Texas grabs Lone Star Showdown bragging rights for...ever? The Longhorns were the underdogs in a veritable powder keg that was Kyle Field on Thanksgiving night. Then Colt, er, Case McCoy got loose for a 25-yard scramble that set up Justin Tucker's game-winning 40-yard field goal that gave Texas bragging rights in the now-defunct rivalry for as long as it would like. The Longhorns say they have no plans to continue the rivalry after the Aggies leave for the SEC.

8. The Little Apple hosts a classic. You never know when the longest game in Big 12 history is going to show up. Kansas State and Texas A&M played it. The Aggies led by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, but Collin Klein rallied the Wildcats and got the 53-50 win on — what else — a QB sneak for a game-winning touchdown.

9. Texas Tech ends Oklahoma's epic streak. The night began with ominous thunderstorms that delayed the game, but the Sooners struggled against Texas Tech's slip screens, and let Alex Torres go wild for three touchdown catches. The four-touchdown underdogs walked into Owen Field and became the second Big 12 team to ever beat Bob Stoops on his home field, and first since 2001. The Red Raiders also became the first team since 2005 to win there, ending the Sooners' 39-game home winning streak. The problem: Tech didn't win another game the rest of the season, and finished with the first losing season since 1992.

10. Dan Beebe gets the ax. The damage was done. Beebe was seen as someone who ceded to Texas at all costs, even if he did it as a last option to keep the Big 12 together in the summer of 2010. That hurt the league, and Oklahoma called for Beebe to be removed. He was, and replaced by interim commissioner Chuck Neinas, who had helped many of the league's ADs hire coaches. A permanent replacement still hasn't been named.

Honorable mention: OSU FB Kye Staley and Texas TE Blaine Irby score touchdowns in emotional returns from catastrophic knee injuries, K-State runs out of time in a near upset over Oklahoma State (and an earthquake followed), Kansas State becomes the first team to intercept RG3 and stays undefeated in an "upset" of Baylor, RG3 has his version of the "Immaculate Reception"; Missouri QB James Franklin goes beast mode on a 20-yard touchdown run in a win over Texas A&M; Missouri coach Gary Pinkel "ices" his own kicker in a loss to Arizona State; Kansas reaches a new low and trails Oklahoma State 56-7 at halftime; Ryan Broyles' career meets an unfair end with a torn ACL.

• Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star names his biggest winners and losers of the year. Bill Snyder and Dan Beebe make appearances.
• There's plenty of reason to believe Iowa State will win the Pinstripe Bowl, writes Marc Hansen of the Des Moines Register.
• Three OSU Cowboys' plans Friday night will be different because of Austin Box's death, writes Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman. Their lives have been different since his death, too.
• Look for TCU to play Texas on Thanksgiving next year, writes Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
• Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune talks to the Cyclones about a memorable day ringing the bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
• After a grandiose finale, Robert Griffin III should go to the NFL, writes Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
• The friendship between the coaches changes the dynamics of Friday night's Insight Bowl, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• For Texas, 8-5 sounds a whole lot better than 7-6, writes colleague Ivan Maisel.
• How optimistic can you be if you're a Texas fan? Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News covers it.
• Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle tells the tale of Kansas State's band's crazy trip to New York for last year's Pinstripe Bowl. They're hoping it's much easier this year.
• Oklahoma State is investigating possible violations for players who may have had drinks bought for them, or sold bowl gifts and guest passes to games.
• Gina Mizell of The Oklahoman writes about OSU tackle Levy Adcock's mullet -- and his on-field acumen as the anchor of the Big 12's best line.

Former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe talked about a variety of topics with Andy Katz of ESPN.com this weekend, and you can see more about that here.

But later, Beebe spoke with the Associated Press, and touched on many of the same issues, including his personal feelings about being forced out by the league in an effort spearheaded by Oklahoma and school president David Boren.

His message: It's cool, guys.

"Obviously there were some concerns he had about the fact that three members had left during my tenure and whether I could have done anything differently or not that was a factor," Beebe said. "It's their right to do what they did. And I have nothing but respect and admiration for the institutions and a great love for the conference and its schools and the citizens they represent.

This, despite not even being specifically told why the league wanted to make a move.

"I didn't get specifics about what decisions I had made or didn't make so I could address those specifically. But that's fine. It was more nebulous. It was more, 'We just need to go in a different direction.'"

The decision itself didn't bug Beebe, but he did have a few other complaints.

"The Big 12 conference is bigger than me," he said. "Personally, (being fired) hurt. It hurt to have some really false things put out in the press that your whole family reads and your colleagues read, but the fact of the matter is when I step back … I love this group of schools, its survival and its strength going forward is more worthwhile than my personal situation."

Good for Beebe. He's a good guy who was caught in a near-impossible situation. I agree that it was best for the league to make a move, but he's the guy that had to be hurt the most by the decision. He'll land back on his feet before too long.

Former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe made a wide variance of comments in an interview with ESPN.com's Andy Katz over the weekend.

Here's the full story.

And a few notes.

• Beebe was campaigning for the league's then-12 teams to equally share the revenue from Tier I and Tier II media rights. Nebraska stood in the way, opposing its introduction before leaving for the Big Ten, which shares all of its revenue equally, including Tier III media rights. "Nebraska was one of the biggest objectors of equal revenue rights, and their president Harvey Perlman said that," Beebe said. "We could have done this two years ago and none of this would have happened."
• Beebe said Colorado's move to the Pac-12 was the only one that made sense, and he didn't think any of the three departures were "inevitable." He added that he felt he was treated fairly by the Big 12 board of directors.
• He thinks Missouri will stay in the Big 12 and wants the Tigers to stay. "My gut is that they stay, they should stay,'' Beebe said. "I was born in Missouri. I have tons of relatives there. Both sides of my family were there prior to the Civil War and fought on both sides. I'm well connected. They have a right to look but I think they'll come back to what their primary connection is. My strong feeling is that they need to be connected to the Midwest and I agree with (Big 12 interim commissioner) Chuck Neinas that they're a Midwest institution, not a Southeastern institution."
• There's some debate on whether the Big 12 needs 10 or 12 teams, and Beebe favors 10, expanding to just one more team if Missouri leaves or halting expansion with TCU if Missouri goes. (My take: For money's sake, 10 teams is the answer. For stability's sake, 12 teams is the answer. I favor 12, but then, I don't get any money from the Big 12's TV revenue.)

There's more in our news story. Check it out.

The Big 12 would like to do a lot in the near future.

It would like the nine remaining members to grant their media rights to the league, ensuring stability for at least six years. It would also like to expand, or at least formally explore expansion.

But for now, it still has to know, to borrow a phrase from former commissioner Dan Beebe, "who is on the plane."

For now, Missouri has offered no concrete guarantee that it won't be leaving for the SEC, but new commissioner Chuck Neinas is confident the Tigers are staying.

"We understand that relative to the grant of rights issue this matter has to be considered by the Missouri board of curators, and they will have an opportunity to review what the conference has accomplished, what we're doing and what we plan to do," Neinas told reporters on a conference call Wednesday night. "I think that once they have an opportunity to fully understand and comprehend what the conference is doing that they will agree that Missouri should continue to be a good member of the Big 12 Conference."

There's no timetable for the grant-of-rights proposal, considering each school has different requirements to do so, but Neinas discussed that and Missouri's future on Wednesday.

He also said he did not know of any offer to Missouri from another conference.

"I have not been contacted by anyone from the Southeastern Conference," he said.

Neinas suggested that Missouri would probably miss its century-old Border War football rivalry with Kansas and the opportunity to play its conference basketball tournament regularly in Kansas City, Mo., if it decided to switch leagues.

"So I think there's a lot to look at," Neinas said. "You know what happens is a pretty girl walks down the aisle and you say, 'Boy, I'd like to take her to the prom.' But there's also one who's tried and true and you know is going to be there."

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard told the Austin American-Statesman he "wouldn't say they are holding up (future plans)," and that he feels "strongly" they will stay in the league.

Neinas also added that his lack of knowledge of an offer from the SEC didn't mean Missouri didn't have one, but he's reiterated several times he feels Missouri will stay.

"There would be a problem of perception," Neinas said of the possibility of a fourth team leaving the Big 12 in 15 months. "We can build the house again with different pieces. I can tell you that there is no shortage of interest from schools exploring membership in this conference. But we want Missouri to continue to be a member of the Big 12."

Lots to get to on the blog tonight.

First off, you can read our news story on tonight's news conference at Oklahoma. Here's an update of what was decided.

More on the way later tonight.

Big 12 headed for binding TV rights

The Big 12's presidents agreed to grant their television rights to the conference for six years, Oklahoma president David Boren said at a news conference on Thursday. Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton said at a news conference also on Thursday night that the agreement was not official, and the league had agreed to pursue such binds.

A source at Missouri confirmed to ESPN.com that they were told "there was no agreement, only an agreement to work toward that as a potential outcome."

The Big 12 signed a 13-year, $1.1 billion deal with Fox Sports last summer for Tier 2 rights and the Tier 1 rights for ESPN/ABC are up for renewal in five years. By signing away the media rights to the conference, any team that left the conference during that period would offer no television revenue to a prospective new league. Any television revenue produced by that team would go to the Big 12.

"We felt that we needed a lot more than an expression of solidarity," Boren said, referencing "unequivocal commitments" that held the Big 12 together in 2010, when the Big 12 last faced near extinction. "It was a very important item to show we mean business about staying together."

Boren added: "That grant of rights really has teeth in it, because when you've granted your rights, it's very unlikely that a member would receive an invitation to another conference."

Texas A&M still headed to the SEC

Tonight's agreement has had no effect on the Texas A&M and its intended departure to the SEC.

Boren said Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin was on the teleconference, but was careful to note that it was "highly likely" that the Aggies would continue to chart their intended course for the SEC. Boren also said the league would not give up on convincing Texas A&M to stay until the Aggies became official members of the SEC.

The league's presidents did not discuss waiving rights to legal action that would allow Texas A&M to continue with its intended move to the SEC after the conference's presidents voted to accept them on the condition that each Big 12 team waive those legal rights.

“Another key to Big 12 stability will be for the league to assist Texas A&M with our departure," Texas A&M spokesman Jason Cook told the San Antonio Express-News.

New interim commissioner officially appointed

Dan Beebe is out, and Chuck Neinas is in. Neinas has dealt with scores of athletic departments around the country, and recommended more than half of the athletic directors in the Big 12 to the administrations in their current schools. Boren lauded Neinas as a figure respected around the country.

Neinas will take over only as interim commissioner, though. He is not a candidate for the permanent job, which may take a "few months" to fill, Boren said, though he established no concrete timeline for the hire.

"We needed someone to lead us through a healing process," Boren said of Neinas. "There's no one better to do that."

Expansion has been re-opened

While the Big 12 nearly broke apart, the efforts of an expansion committee were obviously halted. Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione and Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds are on the committee, which has been re-activated.

The league doesn't know if it will expand to 10 or 12 teams, but will do its "due diligence" and is open to both.

I'd expect negotiations with BYU to be re-opened, and for the Big 12 to seriously talk with remaining teams in the Big East like West Virginia and Louisville, but also seriously talk to schools closer to the Big 12 footprint, like TCU or Houston.

Nothing's off the table yet, though. As it should be this early in the process.

Boren refused to name any names or publish any list of prospective members.

"We want anybody we look at for expansion to know they were our first choice," Boren said.

Big 12 committee formed

This is also an important development. Chairman of the board of directors Brady Deaton is putting together a "committee" to handle a variety of tasks facing the Big 12 currently.

For now, no change in revenue sharing has been enacted, but if it's going to happen, it will be explored by this committee.

Deaton is expected to put it together by the end of the day on Friday.

The league agreed not to air grievances with others in the league publicly, which is necessary for the appearance of stability. It also agreed that any disagreements would be settled privately through the multi-purpose committee that Boren called a "special working group."

Concessions by Texas and Oklahoma?

It's clear so far that Texas and Oklahoma have and are willing to give on some issues. Oklahoma got its wish with Beebe's ouster and a commitment with the media rights that would ensure stability, but Texas AD DeLoss Dodds told local media on Wednesday that he did not want to sign over media rights.

Judging by Boren's comments, that stance has softened. Maybe he was leveraged into it, or maybe it was a measure of good faith. Either way, it looked like it happened.

Oklahoma has also made it clear that it would not stand in the way of equal revenue sharing. The Sooners, as one of the Big 12's top earners, would get less money in that agreement.

"Would equal distribution mean a financial contribution for good of the conference? Yes. Would we be willing to do so? Yes," Boren said. "We would hope that wouldn’t occur overnight."

Boren said he hoped such a plan would be fazed in slowly.

As for Texas? Maybe we'll hear from them soon.

Lots more coming on the blog tonight. Stay tuned.

The Big 12 and commissioner Dan Beebe have reached a "mutual agreement" for him to leave his job immediately.

The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday night that Beebe was working on an agreement to leave his position. The Star cited two sources with knowledge of Beebe's decision.

I guess this is just one thing we'll never know, like what happened to the Titanic.

• Jake Trotter of SoonerNation gets you caught up on the Pac-12/Big 12 mess if you've lost track over the past couple days.
• Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star examines what Dan Beebe's resignation would mean, and reminisces about the time Beebe took a look at Fake Dan Beebe on Twitter.
• Oklahoma sources say it wanted to stay in the Big 12 all along and used the Pac-12 for leverage. You buying it? Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman says the true litmus test is coming.
• Texas doesn't sound like it plans to budge on sharing Longhorn Network revenue, and the A&M rivalry may officially be going bye-bye soon.
• Order is restored in the Big 12: Oklahoma is back to being one of Texas' toadies, writes Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
• Oklahoma should be embarrassed after Texas A&M showed it how to deal with Texas, writes Randy Galloway of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
• Iowa State has sold more season tickets than ever this year.
• Larry Scott offered some insight into the Pac-12's decision not to expand with colleague Ted Miller.
• Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com laments realignment's consequence: Killing traditions.
• I talked some Big 12 expansion and where the league sits with Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is applying to become the new Big 12 commissioner.
• The Big 12 refuses to die, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• Gary Pinkel went on the radio on Wednesday and expressed his displeasure with the Big 12 again.
• Could Texas be looking for a new QB for next season?
• Former Missouri running back Derrick Washington, suspended and kicked off the team just before last season, was found guilty on a sexual assault charge and faces up to seven years in prison.
• You need a translator for all this Big 12 code talking, writes Marc Hansen of the Des Moines Register.
• Texas Tech will be wearing its camo jerseys against Oklahoma State to honor Wounded Warrior.
• Missouri's board of curators will meet on Thursday.
• Are Kenny Stills and Ryan Broyles the best 1-2 punch at receiver in the country?
• Texas Tech administrators confirmed on Wednesday that they were heading to the Pac-12 if the rest of their Big 12 compadres did the same, reports Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Oklahoma fullback and Columbia, Mo., native Trey Millard caught some flack from his Missouri fan friends for last year's loss. His response? Flashing his Big 12 title ring.

Big 12 Conference commissioner Dan Beebe is working on an agreement to leave his position, the Kansas City star reported Wednesday night.

The Star cited two sources with knowledge of Beebe's decision.

Beebe received a raise from $661,000 to $997,000 in 2009 before the Big 12's first near-breakup, when Colorado joined the Pac-12 and Nebraska jumped to the Big Ten. He received a three-year contract extension through 2015 last November.

The Oklahoman reported Tuesday that the University of Oklahoma would only commit to staying in the Big 12 if the conference ousted Beebe as commissioner and added regulations on ESPN's Longhorn Network.

The Big 12's board of directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday.

Beebe, the league's third commissioner, has been the Big 12's commissioner since 2007 and served as senior associate commissioner of the conference since February 2003.

He was the Ohio Valley Conference commissioner from 1989-2003 after working with the NCAA as the Director of Enforcement.

The Big 12's board of directors will meet in the coming days to discuss the leadership of commissioner Dan Beebe and how to get remaining members to make a long-term commitment to the conference, a source confirmed to ESPN.com's Andy Katz.

Though Beebe's status has been described as "tenuous," no decision has been made on his status.

A report on Tuesday stated that in order for Oklahoma to stay in the Big 12, it wanted to have ESPN's Longhorn Network regulated and Beebe removed as league commissioner.

That was before the Pac-12's announcement later that it would not expand.

For more on this story, go here.