Haley and Hanna Cavinder, known for their success in NCAA basketball and their extensive NIL portfolio, have announced their return to the University of Miami for their fifth and final season of collegiate eligibility. The twins initially planned to pursue opportunities outside of basketball but have decided to reunite on the court for one more season, citing their passion for the game and the opportunity to play together as siblings. Their return comes as Miami welcomes a new head coach, Tricia Cullop, and follows their impressive performance in helping the team reach its first-ever Elite Eight in 2023.
The NBA has announced the shutdown of the G League Ignite team, which featured elite draft prospects, following the 2023-24 season. This decision comes as college athletes now have the opportunity to earn compensation through name, image, and likeness deals, impacting the appeal of G League participation. The Ignite team, initially attractive to draft prospects due to compensation, has produced top NBA players but has struggled this season. The rise of NIL in college athletics has led to the reassessment of the Ignite's role in developing young players, with the team's future uncertain as the NBA focuses on earlier player development.
College football players at America's military academies won't be able to benefit from the upcoming college football video game's name and likeness deal, as they are prohibited from accepting NIL deals or outside payments. Despite being depicted in the game, players at the service academies won't be able to earn any money from it due to existing rules, reflecting the strict regulations in the military. However, they are still well taken care of and receive other benefits, and the academies' athletes will still be featured in the game.
EA Sports' new college football game will block gamers from manually adding players who reject the offer to have their name, image, and likeness used in the game. Players who opt in will receive a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game, with opportunities to earn more through promotions. Those who opt out will not be included in the game, and the developers have not disclosed how they plan to prevent gamers from adding or creating opt-out players. The game will feature all 134 FBS teams, and Notre Dame has confirmed its inclusion. ESPN personalities will also be voices in the game.
St. John's alum and billionaire Mike Repole has pledged to donate a seven-figure sum to support the school's Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) deals for the next season, expressing his commitment to do "whatever it takes." This move comes as a boost for the struggling basketball program, with Repole's support reflecting his renewed involvement with the school and his endorsement of coach Rick Pitino. Repole's generous donation aims to invigorate the fan base and support the team's resurgence under Pitino's leadership.
The NCAA has responded to motions by Tennessee and Virginia seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in their antitrust lawsuit against the organization's name, image, and likeness rules, arguing that granting the motions would lead to chaos and disrupt the college sports landscape. The NCAA also contends that the lawsuit fails to provide evidence of harm to athletes and overlooks the universities' agreement to follow the rules being challenged. Additionally, the NCAA asserts that the lawsuit is a response to an impending investigation rather than pending punishment and highlights a separate lawsuit set for trial in 2025 with athletes seeking a permanent injunction and damages.
Caitlin Clark, the national player of the year in women's college basketball, has signed an endorsement deal with Gatorade, becoming the fourth collegiate athlete and second women's basketball player to join their roster. Clark's expanding name, image, and likeness portfolio also includes partnerships with State Farm, Nike, and Hy-Vee, among others. She recently signed with Excel Sports Management and has been making a name for herself both on and off the court. Gatorade will donate $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation, and Clark will appear in a video aimed at inspiring the next generation of basketball players. She is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
NCAA president Charlie Baker has presented a proposal to allow highly resourced schools in Division I to pay athletes directly through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and a trust fund, stating that it is just a starting point. The proposal also suggests that all Division I schools should bring NIL compensation in-house through group licensing deals and remove limits on educational benefits. Baker believes about 100 schools might consider opting into a new subdivision, targeting schools in the Power 5 conferences. The proposal aims to address conflicts caused by budget differences across divisions and give schools the freedom to spend more on their athletes.
NCAA President Charlie Baker's proposal to allow highly resourced schools in Division I to pay athletes through a trust fund is just a starting point for discussion, according to Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey. Baker's proposal also includes bringing name, image, and likeness compensation in-house through group licensing and removing limits on educational benefits for athletes. While some praise the proposal as "directionally correct," concerns remain about creating competitive advantages for wealthier schools. The NCAA is moving towards passing its own NIL rules in January but still seeks federal protection.
NCAA President Charlie Baker is proposing the creation of a new tier of Division I sports that would allow highly resourced schools to pay athletes. Under this proposal, schools would be required to offer at least half their athletes a payment of at least $30,000 per year through a trust fund. Baker also suggested allowing all Division I schools to offer unlimited educational benefits and enter into name, image, and likeness licensing deals with athletes. The goal is to address the disparity in resources between the wealthiest schools and the rest of Division I, while also navigating the challenges posed by name, image, and likeness opportunities and the Transfer Portal. The proposal would not require all members of a conference to be part of the new subdivision, and schools would be allowed to make that determination individually.
NCAA president Charlie Baker has proposed a plan that would create a new FBS subdivision allowing schools to directly compensate student-athletes through an educational trust and name, image, and likeness deals. Membership in the subdivision would be voluntary, but schools would need to invest at least $30,000 per year into an educational trust fund for half of their athletes, guaranteeing them $120,000 over four years. The proposal aims to address the challenges facing the NCAA and keep FBS football under its umbrella while allowing athletes to be compensated without employee status. Athletic directors have expressed support for the plan, which could lead to new rules specific to higher-revenue universities.
NCAA president Charlie Baker has proposed rule changes that would allow Division I schools to pay their athletes in ways not tied to educational resources. The changes would permit schools to enter into name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals directly with their athletes and create a trust fund for athletes at the richest tier of athletic departments. The new rules would also allow schools to create their own set of rules for recruiting, transfers, roster size, and other policies. The proposed changes aim to address gender equity and provide a model for potential federal laws governing college sports. NCAA schools would need to vote to adopt the changes.
The NCAA is proposing a new subdivision within Division I that would grant certain schools more autonomy and the ability to compensate athletes. Under the proposal, schools in the new subdivision would be allowed to strike name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals with their own athletes and directly compensate them through a trust fund. The subdivision would require schools to invest a minimum of $30,000 per year per athlete into an enhanced educational trust fund, with at least 50% of the investment directed towards women athletes. The proposal aims to address the growing financial gap between high-revenue producing athletic departments and other schools in Division I.
The author expresses concern about the possibility of a conspiracy against people with the name "Dick" after noticing two obituaries for individuals with that nickname in the local newspaper, and wonders if those who make disparaging remarks about their name have formed an organization to target them.
Twin brothers Matt and Ryan Bewley, former five-star basketball prospects, have filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA after being denied eligibility to play for Chicago State due to receiving money from their name, image, and likeness while competing for Overtime Elite Academy. The lawsuit accuses the NCAA of violating its own NIL policies and federal antitrust laws. The Bewleys are seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction to compete for Chicago State. The NCAA claims the Bewleys were paid a salary that exceeded allowable expenses, while the brothers argue they sold their NIL rights to Overtime Elite. A hearing has been scheduled for the injunction.
