NIL

New MSU AD J Batt outlines vision for ‘alignment,’ success

MSU’s new athletic director J Batt was introduced at a news conference on Wednesday. MSU’s new athletic director J Batt was introduced at a news conference on Wednesday. East Lansing — Michigan State’s 21st athletic director J Batt was introduced on Monday with some brief remarks and a press conference where he quickly outlined some of […]

Published

2 months ago

June 4, 2025

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East Lansing — Michigan State’s 21st athletic director J Batt was introduced on Monday with some brief remarks and a press conference where he quickly outlined some of his vision for Spartan athletics.

While Batt didn’t go into great detail, he spoke of the need for the football program to be well-resourced, the athletic department to be aligned and his excitement to work with the various Michigan State coaches and staff.

He also made one idea clear: He views Michigan State as a top-tier athletic department.

“This is a Top 10 athletic department in the country,” he said.

Batt on cultivating “alignment” in department

In response to the final question, Batt says that alignment from the board, president and himself down to the fans is the biggest thing to help Michigan State navigate change going forward.

And that’s the final question for Batt, as things wrap up in East Lansing.

Batt on building up football program success

Batt was light on details about what can best support Jonathan Smith and Co. for the football program, which he said is paramount to athletic program success, but said he has already spoken to him and the general gist is it just has to be well resourced.

Whether it’s facilities, NIL, staff salary pool, recruiting budget or the like wasn’t laid out, but Batt seems hip to the idea that the Spartans football program will need to be well-resourced to compete in the Big Ten.

“Certainly haven’t dove in to exactly where that’s going to be, but at the end of the day it comes down to resources,” Batt said.

Guskiewicz on when he knew Batt was the choice

The actual deciding factor was really that Batt just ticked a lot of boxes of the leadership profile, and perhaps not one specific moment in the process. Though Guskiewicz did have some good humor about that, though.

“Just the fact that he took my call when I was told he wouldn’t,” Guskiewicz said, to laughter.

Batt on NIL being paramount to leading an athletic department

“We’re going to be extremely successful and competitive in that space,” Batt said, saying the need to get resources for programs is going to be prioritized.

He also adds that the way NIL and paying players will change as revenue sharing comes along and that they’ll need to continue to plan and act accordingly to adjust to new realities of college athletics.

Regardless, Batt is aware that to be competitive in college sports these days, the NIL efforts — and eventually revenue sharing — will need to be prioritized.

In response to a follow up, Guskiewicz points out the importance of Batt’s fundraising ability as part of leading an athletic department.

Batt on Saban, asking him about job at MSU

Batt said he didn’t necessarily speak to Saban during the process, but his previous discussions with Saban about East Lansing and MSU had painted a good picture to prime him to want to take the job.

“We’re in the opportunity business”

Batt is asked about working in an increasingly transactional world of college sports, but holds firm and refers to his original remarks about opportunity and working to make sure that keeps happening.

“We’re in the opportunity business,” Batt said.

He’s asked a follow up about non-revenue sports and their important to keep funded and thriving in a changing world of college sports.

“They’re just as important. Success across the board is the goal,” Batt said.

Batt on privilege of leading MSU into new era, enhancing Spartans standing in Big Ten

“It’s an incredible privilege,” Batt said, to begin his answer. He’s then asked about leading Michigan State to a position of more prominence in the league.

Batt’s answer to that question is generally brief, but he calls for the need to work with Pettiti and others as Michigan State navigates a new, 18-team Big Ten.

Batt begins opening remarks with thanks, importance of football success and that MSU is a “top” athletic department

“This is an incredible moment for me, my family,” Batt said, as he proceeded with the expected thank yous to various administration and staff, with a specific thank you to Izzo.

Batt goes on to discuss how the job is “all-in” and that he’s an “all-in” person, but that isn’t doable with plenty of people supporting him, as he continues to thank his wife and two sons, saying they look good in green.

Batt moves on, discussing his history as a “below average” college soccer player 25 years ago, and how that shaped his views on college athletics, and spurred him to want to work with and help college athletes benefit from opportunity he had, even as college athletics continues to change.

“I learned what it meant to be part of a team, what it meant to win at the highest level, but what it cemented for me is that college athletics is about opportunity,” Batt said.

He also said the he’s met many staff and student athletes, as well as officials with the Big Ten Conference, including commissioner Tony Pettiti. Also says the key to really making strides as a program to be working in “alignment” between administration, athletics staff, boosters and all involved.

He also added that it will require hard work.

Batt is now speaking about the need for supporting all sports, but that football success is critical and they need to provide the resources for Smith and Co. to succeed, while still providing high-level resources to the rest of the sports teams.

And regardless, Batt was adamant about one fact.

“This is a Top 10 athletic department in the country,” he said, repeating it for emphasis.

Guskiewicz officially welcomes Batt, who is now up to speak

Back at the mic, Guskiewicz is highlighting how college athletics are changing, and how Batt can fit that job and how he’s “the best.” Batt will be tasked with leading Michigan State in an era where NIL has become integral to fielding competitive teams, and where revenue sharing and other elements common to professional sports are coming to intercollegiate athletics.

“It’s a reality that things are changing. Athletics across the U.S. are at a pivotal point,” Guskiewicz said.

Guskiewicz also thanks former athletic director Alan Haller for his multiple years of service to Michigan State. And now Guskiewicz is finally welcoming Batt to the mic as the new Michigan State athletic director, the 21st in school history.

Izzo welcomes Batt, dishes briefly on role in search

Izzo comes to the mic and immediately welcomes the Batts to East Lansing, personally before outlining how he went down to visit with Batt as part of the search. He highlighted how the conversation covered NIL efforts, something Izzo isn’t the keenest about, and Izzo complimented how Batt has worked for Nick Saban, among others, in the past.

“If you can work for those two guys, you can work for anybody,” Izzo said.

Izzo lastly said, wrapping up his mostly light-hearted remarks, by saying that the biggest thing that can elevate Michigan State athletics going forward is great teamwork amidst the athletics staff, and that no coach or team can truly succeed without the administration working in tandem.

And in that, Izzo feels confident Batt can answer the bell.

“We all love the place,” Izzo said.

Guskiewicz outlines search leading to Batt hire

In brief remarks that hyped up the achievements of Michigan State athletics, Guskiewicz explained how he sold the Board of Trustees on a vision to get “top-tier” leadership.

“We we’re going to aim big, we were going to aim high,” Guskiewicz said.

He also thanked the board for helping shape the search before finally moving on and handing the microphone to Izzo for further remarks before Batt is up to speak.

Batt comes to podium, plenty of Spartan dignitaries in attendance

The press conference is officially underway to introduce Batt, and the expected collection of names are in attendance: Tom Izzo, Jonathan Smith, Adam Nightingale and the rest of Michigan State’s head coaches and athletic staff.

President Kevin Guskiewicz is up to speak first.

Introduction

East Lansing — Michigan State is introducing a new athletics leader on Wednesday afternoon, as J Batt will speak publicly on Wednesday at a press conference, his first remarks since being announced as the Spartans’ new athletic director earlier in the week.

Batt is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. on campus and address an array of topics regarding his new job , Michigan State, and its place in a rapidly-changing world of college sports.

Batt comes to East Lansing after a multi-year stretch in the same role at Georgia Tech, where he was athletic director since 2022. Batt’s hire comes after a brief search in the wake of Alan Haller’s firing in May.

Batt will be the third athletic director at Michigan State since Mark Hollis resigned in 2018. Bill Beekman held the job after Hollis, serving a number of years before Haller took over the job in 2021. The MSU Board of Trustees will vote on approving the hire later in June, with Batt slated to officially begin work on June 16.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Andrew Graham.

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NIL

Fernando Mendoza Named As Nominee For the 2025 Allstate / AFCA Good Works Team

Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the highest in the award’s 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron. Indiana junior […]

Published

40 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Indiana junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza was recently named as a nominee for the 2025 Allstate / American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team ®, both organizations recently announced.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Cal transfer partnered with La Burrita in Berkley to launch the Mendoza Burrito. Honoring his Cuban heritage with the ingredients, all proceeds from each sale went to the National MS Society in honor and support of his mother has multiple sclerosis, and to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.

Mendoza said in a recent interview with NBC Sports the initiative raised over $11,000 for the National MS Society.

Allstate and Wuerffel Foundation Elevate Impact

For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.

Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field. In addition to being actively involved with a charitable organization or service group, each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

“When nearly 200 young athletes choose to serve, it creates a ripple effect far beyond the game,” said Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer for whom the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named. “Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field.”

11 players from the NCAA FBS
11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
1 honorary head coach

The final roster of 23 award recipients announced in September will bring together:A voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists select the team roster based on outstanding leadership on and off the field.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, Mendoza passed for (3,004 yards). He finished in the top-10 on Cal’s single-season charts in total offensive yards (No. 7; 3,109 yards), passing efficiency (No. 8; 144.59) and yards passing (No. 9; 3,004 yards).

Indiana opens fall camp on July 30, and begins the 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Old Dominion at home.

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Patrick Mahomes Gets Honest About Eli Manning’s Hot Take on NIL: “You’re Bringing So Much Money to the University”

Some college sports fans will tell you that they support the concept of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Others will tell you that true amateurism should have remained the standard in collegiate athletics. And there are plenty of people, athletic background or not, on both sides of the aisle. Take Eli Manning. In May 2024, […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Take Eli Manning. In May 2024, he teamed with Jaxson Dart to raise money for his alma mater’s NIL collective. His general feeling on NIL when it was first introduced, though, paints a picture opposite to that of his future partnership.

“I know how immature I was at 20 years old and I wouldn’t have spent it the right ways. It scares me from that perspective, it scares me from chemistry of the locker room with some guys getting endorsements and if they’re not playing well, how his teammates will handle that.”

Manning has every right to change his mind, especially after experiencing three seasons with NIL. His adaptation of his mindset demonstrates an understanding of the nuance required for NIL debates.

When discussing NIL as a whole, you can’t limit the conversation to future NFL and NBA stars. There are thousands of players in countless other sports, not to mention football and basketball themselves, that will never get professional contracts, let alone generational wealth.

This is why Patrick Mahomes told CNBC’s Alex Sherman that NIL is a boon for college athletics.

“At the end of the day, I think it’s a good thing that players are getting paid. I mean… you’re bringing so much money to a university. There has to be a way that you can earn a profit. It doesn’t have to be a huge profit… it’s cool to see people that might not have the ability to earn this money at any other point of their life… being able to change their families.”

Non-athletes can use their talents to generate revenue while in college. Prior to NIL, universities saw immediate returns on a team’s hard work while the athletes pocketed nothing.

It wasn’t fair to the players. NIL took some of that power and redistributed it to them. So it’s good that Mahomes and others are recognizing that NIL’s main mission is being accomplished.

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UConn stars Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong sign NIL deals with Unrivaled league founded by Huskies legends

UConn women’s basketball stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong will be among the new collegiate faces of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league launched by Huskies legends Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier in 2025, after signing NIL deals with the organization. Fudd and Strong announced they will be a part of the league’s 14-player NIL class this […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Fudd and Strong announced they will be a part of the league’s 14-player NIL class this season during an event at WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis on Saturday. The UConn duo appeared at Unrivaled’s All-Star headquarters alongside LSU star Flau’jae Johnson, who signed a deal with the league last year. Johnson and former UConn star Paige Bueckers launched the league’s “The Future is Unrivaled” campaign in Dec. 2024, and Bueckers is expected to compete in Unrivaled this upcoming season after completing her rookie year in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings.

The new class of NIL athletes also includes USC’s JuJu Watkins, UCLA’s Lauren and Sienna Betts and Kiki Rice, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, Texas’s Madison Booker, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, TCU’s Olivia Miles, South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson and Michigan’s Syla Swords.

Johnson and Bueckers, like every professional player who competes in Unrivaled, received an investment stake in the league as part of their agreements, so the same will likely be true for the 2025 NIL signees. Watkins is also already part of Unrivaled’s star-studded investor group, which includes UConn coach Geno Auriemma, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, NBA stars Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and USWNT legend Alex Morgan.

Unrivaled exceeded expectations in 2025, reportedly generating more than $27 million in revenue and nearly breaking even in its inaugural season. The league averaged 221,000 viewers on TNT during the regular season and the playoffs, and the championship saw a significant increase drawing 364,000 viewers. Unrivaled also paid its 36 players an average of $220,000, which is higher than the WNBA’s regular maximum salary in 2025.

Fudd has always had a national presence as the former No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2021, but she joins Unrivaled amid a spike in popularity following UConn’s run to the NCAA Championship. The redshirt senior’s first three college seasons were heavily impacted by injuries, but she completed a triumphant comeback from an ACL tear in 2024-25 and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Fudd’s NIL portfolio includes partnerships with Bose, TurboTax, skincare brand Paula’s Choice and hair color brand Madison Reed among others. She also announced Thursday that she is hosting a new podcast on the iHeart Radio network titled “Fudd Around and Find Out,” the viral phrase that her mother Katie wore on a t-shirt during the national title game.

Strong is also a rising star in the college game after coming to UConn as the No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2024 class and winning WBCA Freshman of the Year in 2025. She had a historic first season with the Huskies, making the All-Final Four team and breaking the record for most points by a freshman ever in an NCAA Tournament. Unrivaled will be one of Strong’s most prominent NIL deals to date, but she has also partnered with Epic Games and VKTRY, a performance shoe insole for athletes.

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Patrick Mahomes Gets Honest About Eli Manning's Hot Take on NIL

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Patrick Mahomes Gets Honest About Eli Manning's Hot Take on NIL

Manning has every right to change his mind, especially after experiencing three seasons with NIL. His adaptation of his mindset demonstrates an understanding of the nuance required for NIL debates.

This is why Patrick Mahomes told CNBC’s Alex Sherman that NIL is a boon for college athletics.

Non-athletes can use their talents to generate revenue while in college. Prior to NIL, universities saw immediate returns on a team’s hard work while the athletes pocketed nothing.

It wasn’t fair to the players. NIL took some of that power and redistributed it to them. So it’s good that Mahomes and others are recognizing that NIL’s main mission is being accomplished.

NIL

Memphis guard Sincere Parker arrested on assault charge after girlfriend says he choked her

Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis guard Sincere Parker was arrested Saturday on an aggravated assault charge for an attack on his girlfriend, who told police that he choked her and hit her, according to court documents. The woman told police that the attack occurred on May 27 at the Memphis apartment the couple […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis guard Sincere Parker was arrested Saturday on an aggravated assault charge for an attack on his girlfriend, who told police that he choked her and hit her, according to court documents.

The woman told police that the attack occurred on May 27 at the Memphis apartment the couple shared. She reported that Parker pushed her, slapped her in the face and choked her, leaving her bruised and bloodied, according to a police report.

The woman also told police that Parker broke her cellphone because he didn’t want her to have the digital key to the apartment.

A warrant for Parker’s arrest was issued Friday and the 22-year-old was taken into custody Saturday. An arraignment was scheduled for Monday on charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor vandalism.

It was not immediately clear whether Parker had an attorney.

The 6-foot-3 Parker transferred to Memphis after averaging 12.2 points last season for McNeese, helping the Cowboys and coach Will Wade reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He played his first two seasons for Saint Louis.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll

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Unrivaled Announces NIL Deals With College Stars JuJu Watkins, Azzi Fudd, More

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! JuJu Watkins, Flau’Jae Johnson and Azzi Fudd are three of 14 top women’s college basketball players that Unrivaled is signing to name, image and likeness deals, the league announced Saturday. It’s the second consecutive year that the 3-on-3 league that was founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

JuJu Watkins, Flau’Jae Johnson and Azzi Fudd are three of 14 top women’s college basketball players that Unrivaled is signing to name, image and likeness deals, the league announced Saturday.

It’s the second consecutive year that the 3-on-3 league that was founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart has had NIL with college players. In its inaugural season, Unrivaled had deals with Paige Bueckers and Johnson.

Watkins, who plays for USC but is sidelined with an ACL injury, has also previously been involved with Unrivaled as an investor in its Series A funding round.

Johnson, who is at LSU, and Fudd, at UConn, both were on hand for the announcement, as were Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and UConn’s Sarah Strong.

Other players signed include TCU’s Olivia Miles, UCLA’s Kiki Rice and Lauren and Sienna Betts, Texas’ Madison Booker, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson and Michigan’s Syla Swords. The players range from sophomores to seniors.

Women’s basketball players have been able to take advantage of NIL opportunities over the last few years with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Bueckers and Johnson at the forefront of it. Reese played in Unrivaled in its first season.

[MORE: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players with the Highest NIL Valuations]

As part of the initiative, the class will be attending a multi-day event at the league’s headquarters in Miami, which will include skill development and content shoots.

“This transformational, first-of-its-kind initiative brings together the best of the best and reflects our deep commitment to elevating the women’s game and holistically supporting athletes,” Luke Cooper, President of Basketball Operations at Unrivaled, said in the initiative’s announcement. “Investing in elite women’s basketball talent is central to Unrivaled’s mission.”

Unrivaled completed its inaugural season this past March, and is gearing up for its second this coming January.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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