The Big 12 said Wednesday it will withhold millions of dollars in conference revenue from Baylor until an outside review determines the athletic department is complying with Title IX guidelines and other regulations in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that has rocked the school.
The sanctions against Baylor are the first by the Big 12 since the school was hit by a wave of complaints that it mishandled or tried to cover up assault allegations, many of them involving football players.
Baylor fired coach Art Briles last year and parted ways with university President Ken Starr and athletic director Ian McCaw after an investigation by a law firm found allegations of sexual assault brought to the school were not dealt with appropriately.
The Big 12 paid out $30.4 million to each conference member last year. Baylor is not being fined; the money is being placed in escrow pending a third-party verification of reforms at Baylor.
The Big 12 said its board of directors voted unanimously to withhold the money and Baylor did not take part in the vote.