All articles tagged with #nil
President Donald Trump plans a White House roundtable on NIL and college-sports governance, inviting a wide roster of figures—including Nick Saban, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, Cody Campbell, athletic directors and conference commissioners—plus notable outsiders like Tiger Woods and Condoleezza Rice, with the event expected March 6 and chaired by Trump with DeSantis and Randy Levine as vice chairs.
Cincinnati has filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in liquidated damages under a two-season NIL deal with Brendan Sorsby after his transfer to Texas Tech, asserting the move breached the agreement; the contract runs through December 15, 2026, and Cincinnati says Sorsby owes the buyout despite a reported $5 million NIL package.
UC filed a breach-of-contract suit seeking $1 million in liquidated damages from Brendan Sorsby for transferring to Texas Tech before completing a two-season NIL/revenue-sharing agreement; Cincinnati says the buyout clause applies, Sorsby’s camp disputes the claim, and Tech declined comment as the case underscores ongoing questions about enforcing rev-share contracts in college sports.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart opened with a NIL money joke aimed at Mario Cristobal at the Spurrier Awards in Gainesville, with Cristobal firing back about Carson Beck and Smart’s pre-NIL era; the exchange also included playful jabs at Florida as Spurrier watched.
The NCAA won an eligibility case against former Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, denying a sixth year after a Knoxville judge refused to grant a preliminary injunction; Aguilar can appeal, while Tennessee moves into 2026 with a quarterback competition and Aguilar prepares for the NFL combine.
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson scored 23 in 18 minutes before cramping and subbing himself out, fueling renewed debate over load management and NIL-era pay for top college players as Kansas won without him.
Michigan is parting ways with general manager Sean Magee, who joined in March 2024 to oversee recruiting, player personnel and NIL initiatives. Magee helped land top QB Bryce Underwood in the 2025 cycle and played a key role in roster stability during the coaching transition to Kyle Whittingham, keeping a core group intact despite 27 players departing and positioning Michigan for the 2026 season. Magee also brings a distinctive background as a former Navy offensive lineman, Surface Warfare Officer and Chicago Bears chief of staff.
At Charles Bediako's eligibility hearing, NCAA lawyers argued granting him eligibility could set a broader precedent, using a hypothetical where Ty Simpson—who entered the 2026 NFL Draft—could return to college via transfer if unhappy with his draft position, amid reports of a $4 million NIL offer from Tennessee. The argument underscores preserving NCAA rules as Alabama prepares for the Friday game against Auburn, with support from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
After declaring for the NFL draft, Alabama QB Ty Simpson turned down portal offers, including a reportedly substantial NIL bid, choosing to stay with Alabama to preserve his legacy and cap his college career with the Tide. He emphasizes pride in wearing Alabama and wanting his draft card to read the Crimson Tide, a decision highlighted as admirable in a sport increasingly shaped by business and NIL opportunities.
Miami officially adds quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate from Duke, pairing a top-tier passer with a top-10 receiver to elevate the Hurricanes’ offense; Mensah has two years of eligibility (with the option to turn pro after next season) and Barkate has one, as UM expands its portal haul following an NIL-related settlement with Duke.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced an attendance-fines system funded by players’ NIL money, with penalties including $500 for lateness and $2,500 for missing practice, plus fines for late/absent meetings, conditioning, treatment, and public misconduct as the Buffaloes add a large transfer class this offseason.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney accused Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding of repeatedly contacting Clemson linebacker Luke Ferrelli after he signed an NIL deal and enrolled at Clemson, prompting Clemson to file an NCAA complaint and leaving open the possibility of legal action. Swinney argued there must be consequences for tampering and called for clearer NIL governance, framing the dispute within broader debates about antitrust exemptions and potential player unions in college football.
A growing trend across Power 4 programs is to rely on experienced transfer quarterbacks to win now, sidelining long-term development. The article notes that many national contenders used transfer QBs this season, that 2026 could see dozens more, and that elite prospects transfer multiple times, creating pressure to perform immediately. This has diminished patience for in-house growth, pushed players toward mid-major paths for early reps and higher earnings, and turned quarterback development into a “one-year lease” rather than a multi-year process.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum says the SEC is in crisis after the Big Ten won a third consecutive national title, with Indiana’s championship fueling concerns about NIL and transfer-portal advantages. He warns SEC patience for coaches could be strained, while Matt Barrie notes the SEC remains deeper even if the Big Ten has had the top teams; Lane Kiffin’s arrival at LSU is cited as a potential spark for the conference’s fortunes.
Duke is set to enter quarterback Darian Mensah into the transfer portal after he informed the school of his intent to transfer, a move Duke is contesting in court with a temporary restraining order related to his NIL contract. The portal would let other programs contact Mensah for 2026, with Miami seen as the favorite to land him. Duke is also hosting San Jose State transfer Walker Eget on a visit, and a Feb. 2 hearing is scheduled to resolve the dispute.