The NAACP has urged Black student-athletes to reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida after the state eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at institutions like the University of Florida, North Florida, and Florida International. The organization's letter to the NCAA president emphasized the impact on education and future opportunities for student-athletes, while NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and NAACP leaders have also spoken out against the decision, raising concerns about the potential impact on recruiting efforts and the ability of minority athletes to compete in a global economy.
Deion Sanders' first season as head coach at Colorado led to a record-breaking 20% increase in applications, totaling 68,000 for the fall of 2024, with a 50.5% spike from Black students and a 25.6% increase from Hispanic and Latino students. While the school will make offers to 51,000 students, including 35,000 non-residents, the assistant vice chancellor of admissions credited Sanders for raising the school's national profile, though she stopped short of attributing the application increase directly to him. Despite the team's struggles on the field, Sanders' high profile and persona have resonated with high school students, leading to increased interest in the university.
Ohio State's new president, Ted Carter, expressed support for football coach Ryan Day and denounced antisemitism in his first public comments since taking office. Carter backed Day despite criticism and emphasized the university's commitment to fighting hate speech and bigotry while upholding free speech. He also addressed the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry and the need for a moral backbone in speaking out against antisemitism, following recent controversies involving other university presidents.
A girls high school basketball coach and player from Roosevelt High School Early College Studies in Yonkers, New York, have been dismissed after the team they were playing against, The Leffell School, a private Jewish school, was targeted with antisemitic rhetoric during a game. The incident, which involved physical play and antisemitic slurs, led to the Leffell team ending the game early. Yonkers Public Schools and the city's mayor have condemned the incident, and an investigation is ongoing. Efforts to address the situation and prevent future occurrences are underway, with the governor of New York also speaking out against the antisemitic behavior.
Endeavor has agreed to sell its sports education business, IMG Academy, to private equity firm BPEA EQT for $1.25 billion. IMG Academy's assets include a campus in Florida, sports camps worldwide, and online coaching and college recruiting businesses. The academy is expected to partner with Nord Anglia Education, a portfolio company of EQT. IMG Academy's executive team will remain in their roles following the sale.
