NIL
2025 UCONN WOMEN'S VICTORY CELEBRATION IN HARTFORD POSTPONED TO THIS …
Geno Auriemma, several players, Gov. Ned Lamont, and others. Organizers decided to move the parade to Sunday due to projections of intense rain on Saturday that would impair the activities of the victory celebration and ruin the pleasure of the fans. As in previous years, this victory celebration event is produced by the Hartford Business Improvement […]

Geno Auriemma, several players, Gov. Ned Lamont, and others.
Organizers decided to move the parade to Sunday due to projections of intense rain on Saturday that would impair the activities of the victory celebration and ruin the pleasure of the fans. As in previous years, this victory celebration event is produced by the Hartford Business Improvement District in collaboration with the State of Connecticut and City of Hartford, as well as a number of civic and business organizations.
The team won its twelfth national title on Sunday, April 6 after an 82-59 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. UConn women’s basketball has now won the NCAA championship in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2025.
As with other victory celebrations held in previous years, this parade and rally are being funded by private donations through sponsorship opportunities. No state or city funding is being used for this event.
“The UConn women’s basketball team has proven that they are the best in the nation, and now it’s time for Connecticut to give them the victory celebration they have earned,” Governor Lamont said. “The student athletes on this team have worked very hard and they deserve to know how much we appreciate everything they’ve accomplished. I urge basketball fans from all over Connecticut to come to Hartford on Saturday morning and let them know just how proud we are of our hometown team.”
NIL
Mario Cristobal’s $5M recruiting bombshell sends shockwaves as Miami scoops up top talents in college football frenzy
In a move that has sent ripples through the college football landscape, Miami Hurricanes’ head coach Mario Cristobal has once again demonstrated his prowess in the recruiting arena. This time, the spotlight shines on the acquisition of Jackson Cantwell, a promising talent whose commitment to Miami was secured with a staggering $5 million Name, Image, […]

In a move that has sent ripples through the college football landscape, Miami Hurricanes’ head coach Mario Cristobal has once again demonstrated his prowess in the recruiting arena. This time, the spotlight shines on the acquisition of Jackson Cantwell, a promising talent whose commitment to Miami was secured with a staggering $5 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. This development not only underscores the seismic shifts occurring in college football recruitment but also highlights Cristobal’s strategic acumen and the allure of Miami’s football program.
The Art of Recruitment
Under the guidance of Mario Cristobal, the Miami Hurricanes are not just participating in the recruitment game; they are setting new standards. The recent commitments from Carson Beck and Xavier Lucas, with Beck’s $4 million NIL deal making headlines, were just the beginning. Cristobal’s ability to navigate the complexities of NIL agreements has placed Miami at the forefront of college football’s evolving landscape. His tactics, often described as both bold and strategic, have allowed the Hurricanes to secure top-tier talent, reshaping the team’s future prospects.
Strategic Moves and Market Dynamics
The acquisition of Jackson Cantwell is particularly noteworthy. Not only does it represent one of the most significant NIL deals in college football to date, but it also signals a shift in how programs and athletes approach recruitment and compensation. Cristobal’s approach—leveraging NIL opportunities to attract elite players—highlights a broader trend within the sport. As college football grapples with the implications of NIL deals, coaches like Cristobal are at the vanguard, navigating this new terrain with a mix of financial acumen and a keen eye for talent.
Implications for College Football
The ramifications of Miami’s aggressive recruitment strategy extend beyond the immediate impact on the team’s roster. Cristobal’s success in securing top recruits through NIL deals is prompting a reevaluation of recruitment strategies across the sport. Other programs are now faced with the challenge of adapting to this new reality, where financial considerations play an increasingly significant role in an athlete’s decision-making process. The landscape of college football is undergoing a transformation, with NIL deals emerging as a critical factor in shaping the competitive balance.
A New Era for Miami
For the Miami Hurricanes, the commitment of Jackson Cantwell is more than just a recruitment victory; it’s a statement of intent. Under Cristobal’s leadership, Miami is signaling its ambitions to return to the pinnacle of college football. By successfully navigating the intricacies of NIL agreements to secure top talent, the Hurricanes are positioning themselves as a force to be reckoned with. The impact of these strategic moves will be felt not only in the upcoming seasons but also in the broader narrative of college football’s evolution.
Reflecting on the Future
As the dust settles on Miami’s latest recruitment coup, the broader implications for college football are clear. The integration of NIL deals into the recruitment process is not just changing how teams assemble their rosters; it’s redefining the very fabric of the sport. For Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes, the successful pursuit of top talents like Jackson Cantwell is a testament to their strategic vision and adaptability in this new era. As college football continues to evolve, the strategies employed by Cristobal and his peers will undoubtedly shape the future of the game, both on and off the field.
NIL
USC Trojans 5-Star Recruit Alijah Arenas Signs With Rich Paul, Klutch Sports Agency
The USC Trojans landed five-star guard Alijah Arenas in the 2025 recruiting cycle. A big announcement was made regarding Arena’s professional future on Monday. He signed with Klutch Sports Group. Klutch is a sports agency that was founded by Rich Paul in 2012 and is home to some of the biggest athletes in sports. Alijah […]

The USC Trojans landed five-star guard Alijah Arenas in the 2025 recruiting cycle. A big announcement was made regarding Arena’s professional future on Monday. He signed with Klutch Sports Group. Klutch is a sports agency that was founded by Rich Paul in 2012 and is home to some of the biggest athletes in sports.
Alijah Arenas will now be joining Paul’s client list that has grown to roughly 200 athletes across multiple sports.
Before even playing a collegiate game for USC, Alijah Arenas is now joining one of the world’s top sports agency groups. Klutch most notably represents NBA superstar, LeBron James, but the list goes beyond just LeBron.
They also represent NBA players such as Draymond Green, Anthony Davis, De’Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, Tyrese Maxey, Aaron Gordon, Darius Garland, Lonzo Ball, Fred VanVleet, and many others. Klutch also represents a handful of elite NFL players in Myles Garret, Bijan Robinson, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Hurts.
In this era off college sports with NIL opportunity, Klutch has dipped their toes in the college basketball scene, signing Oregon Ducks’ Jackson Shelstad, Gonzaga Bulldogs’ Nolan Hickman, and USC Trojans’ JuJu Watkins.
Alijah Arenas is a 6-6, 195 pound shooting guard out of Chatsworth, California. The five-star guard and No. 7 overall ranked player in the class of 2025 per 247Sports decided that he would stay close to home and committed to the USC Trojans.
Many thought that Arenas would follow in his father’s footsteps and commit to the Arizona Wildcats. Alijah’s father, Gilbert Arenas, played for the Arizona Wildcats from 1999-2001 before being selected in the 2001 NBA Draft. Gilbert played 11 years in the NBA, making three All-Star games and three All-NBA teams.
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Alijah Arenas had a scare last month when he got in a car crash, which left him in a coma due to smoke inhalation. Since then, Alijah has been recovering and is back to walking and talking.
Gilbert Arenas went on Pardon My Take last week and was asked how Alijah is now doing.
“He’s doing a lot better. It was a scary moment,” Gilbert Arenas said “He said the car computer just malfunctioned and ran him right into a fire hydrant and tree.”
It’s still not clear when Alijah Arenas will be back in basketball shape or if he isn’t already, but there isn’t a need to rush him back. USC’s season will tip off this upcoming November with coach Eric Musselman looking to get the Trojans back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-2023 season.
In 2024-2025, the Trojans finished with a record of 17-18 in Eric Musselman’s first season at the helm.
NIL
No. 1 recruit Jackson Cantwell chooses Miami over Georgia. Good.
Tuesday was yet another reminder that I’m glad I’m not a recruiting reporter. In case you missed it, on Tuesday afternoon Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite ratings, chose Miami over Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State. I do not know this first hand — again, I am not a recruiting reporter […]

Tuesday was yet another reminder that I’m glad I’m not a recruiting reporter.
In case you missed it, on Tuesday afternoon Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite ratings, chose Miami over Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State. I do not know this first hand — again, I am not a recruiting reporter — but one does not have to be J.R.R. Tolkien to understand the subtext at play here: Cantwell was set to go to Georgia, until he wasn’t. DawgNation reported Cantwell, who retained none other than Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, had offers all in the neighborhood of $2.5 million, until he didn’t. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s Rivals recruiting reporter Adam Gorney:
Georgia felt great about Jackson Cantwell through this weekend after his sixth visit there. But there is a lot leaking about Miami now.
Almost there. pic.twitter.com/MHG2hLwEFp
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) May 13, 2025
There will be a lot of voices in college football that try to tell you it’s a travesty that the No. 1 recruit chose a B-level program over an A-level program.
A player used his talents and leverage within the labor market to leverage the best possible offer. Many people will try to tell you this is a breaking of the social order, a sign of all that’s supposedly wrong in college football. In any other walk of life, we call this capitalism. An 18-year-old kid from Nixa, Mo., is about to become a multimillionaire before he steps foot on a college campus, securing his family’s financial future for years to come, if not generations. If everything goes according to plan, Cantwell will be worth north of $10 million before he even signs a professional contract.
We used to call this the American Dream.
Set aside the particulars for a moment. My take today is the same as it was when Dylan Raiola chose Nebraska over Georgia a year and a half ago: Good, I’m glad it’s happened.
College football is better off with Raiola at Nebraska and not Georgia, and college football is better with Miami getting a little bit better and Georgia a little bit worse.
Before we declared college football players getting fair market value for their services to be the biggest problem facing college football — and, make no mistake, $2.5M+ is fair market value for Jackson Cantwell — it used to be a concentration of elite talent and coaching at a handful of programs.
From 2015-20, nine programs gobbled up the 24 available College Football Playoff spots. Clemson went six straight seasons; Alabama went five. Oklahoma made four trips, and Ohio State made three.
Over the past three seasons, nine separate programs have taken the 12 available seats in the CFP semifinals. Only three programs have made return trips — and they’re Ohio State, Texas and Michigan.
That’s a clear dividing line there, a Before and After once NIL went into effect in 2021. An oligarchy has been replaced by democracy. Lots of different people get votes on who accumulates difference-making talent at the highest level of the sport, and it’s made the Notre Dames, the Michigans, the Texases and the Miamis (and perhaps USC is next) better, and while Alabama, Georgia and Clemson have gotten a little bit worse.
And in the process, lots and lots of young men have gotten rich playing America’s pastime. That doesn’t sound like an end-of-days apocalypse to me. It sounds like America.
NIL
How a presidential committee and a 64
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NIL
NiJaree Canady handles pressure, makes $1 million-plus NIL deal pay off for Texas Tech | Sports
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NIL
Mark Pope jokes he spent nearly $200 million on UK Basketball roster through NIL
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope isn’t shying away from the school’s aggressive approach to name, image, and likeness (NIL) funding — and he’s even having a little fun with it. Speaking recently about the program’s ambition and investment, Pope jokingly claimed the Wildcats have poured nearly $200 million into their roster. “It’s close to […]

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope isn’t shying away from the school’s aggressive approach to name, image, and likeness (NIL) funding — and he’s even having a little fun with it.
Speaking recently about the program’s ambition and investment, Pope jokingly claimed the Wildcats have poured nearly $200 million into their roster.
“It’s close to $200 million,” Pope said with a smile. “We would like to win at everything, guys. Like, we really would. This is the flagship program in the country, and so I’m fully on board with all of it.”
Reports have suggested Kentucky’s 2025-26 roster could top $20 million in NIL value. While that number may be exaggerated or symbolic of broader investment, Pope didn’t shy away from the concept.
In fact, he leaned into it.
“We want to play the hardest schedule. We want to play the best teams. We want to win the most games. We want to have the best players. We want to have the highest NIL. We want to have the coolest uniforms. We want to have the most media attention,” he said.
Going into his second year at Kentucky, head coach Pope emphasized that the program’s stature demands a top-tier approach in every aspect of the game, from recruiting to competition to player compensation.
“This is Kentucky, and we’re going to do this the very best we can,” Pope said. “We’re really blessed to have President (Eli) Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart, and some of the most committed, generous fans and donors in all of college basketball.”
He added: “Our job is to go be the best at everything. So we’re not shying away from that. Like, it’s important to us.”
Whether hyperbole or a hint of truth, Pope’s message is clear: Kentucky plans to lead the way in the new era of college basketball.
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